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Energy networks and storage

A record high 5 GW of battery storage capacity was added worldwide in 2020, bringing the total capacity to around 17 GW

Energy storage allows for flexibility in the timing of when energy is supplied and when it is used. Energy storage comes in a number of forms, including chemical, kinetic, thermal, gravitational potential, electromagnetic, electrochemical and osmotic potential. The choice of storage solution depends on location as well as reserve service required, since different technologies can provide different capacities and durations of storage. Storage of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels has been commonplace for centuries; as the low carbon transition requires integration of increasing intermittent renewable sources into the system, energy storage is becoming integral for reducing dependency on fossil fuels and achieving a flexible, resilient energy network. Strategic placement of storage also gives the potential to avoid otherwise necessary network upgrades and curtailment of expensive assets. Greater connectivity between different energy networks, i.e. interconnection across national grids, can allow for security of supply without needing additional generation capacity.

Energy storage has applications varying from small-scale local systems in homes or commercial buildings – which are becoming increasingly common alongside the rise of distributed generation – to utility-scale storage systems. Common examples of energy storage include batteries (mainly lithium-ion) which store electricity as chemical energy, pumped hydroelectric storage systems which store gravitational potential energy in elevated reservoirs, and ice storage tanks which store thermal energy by freezing water with cheaper energy at night to meet peak cooling demand in daytime. Surplus renewable electricity can also be used to produce energy carriers like hydrogen, enabling the storage of renewable energy for long periods. Electric vehicles can also function as storage systems, since electricity can be transferred both to and from the batteries of plugged-in vehicles when needed. With energy storage expected to play a greater role towards a low-carbon and sustainable energy future, various storage technologies must be evaluated to balance the trade-offs between life-cycle cost, efficiency, material sustainability and safety.

Learn more about storage by reading our Energy Insights.

Read our New Energy World articles on how energy storage fits into strategies for carbon reduction.

Learn about recent public funding for research and development of energy storage on our policy milestone calendar.

What's new?

World’s largest sand battery enters operation in Finland

18/06/2025
The battery delivers 1 MW of thermal power and offers a storage capacity of 100 MWh, making it 10 times larger than the unit launched in Kankaanpää in...

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UK government confirms £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan amid criticism of retrofit policy failures

18/06/2025
The £13.2bn of funding for the Warm Homes Plan was originally promised as part of the Labour government’s manifesto. Reeves confirmed the full funding...

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‘World-first’ liquid hydrogen corridor to link Oman and northern Europe

30/04/2025
The JDA plans for the commercial-scale import of renewable liquid hydrogen to Europe from 2029. It was signed by 11 parties, including Oman’s national...

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Aramco unveils Saudi Arabia’s first direct air carbon capture pilot facility

02/04/2025
The initiative is part of the company’s broader strategy to accelerate deployment of large-scale carbon capture facilities in the Kingdom. The DA...

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Pilot project demonstrates feasibility of large-scale hydrogen storage, as new measurement innovations are also announced

12/03/2025
  HYBRIT: Large-scale storage of fossil-free hydrogen gasThe HYBRIT initiative was launched in 2016 by Sweden’s SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall, w...

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Events and training

CCUS 2025: Real Projects, Real Impact, Delivering Net Zero

14/10/2025
Organised by The Carbon Capture and Storage Association, this is THE global conference on CCUS which delves into the key topics related to commercial ...

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Aviation Jet Fuel - October 2025

28/10/2025
This 3-day training course will provide delegates with an overview of aviation jet fuel, focusing on the jet engine, its underlying principles and fue...

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Hazardous Area Classification - November 2025

04/11/2025
This 3-day training course will provide delegates with training on the Energy Institute Model Safe Code of Practice 15, Area Classification for Instal...

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Reservoir Microbiology Forum (RMF)

19/11/2025
Abstract deadline extended - submit your entry by 18 July for the opportunity to present at this event.Submit entryThe RMF is an excellent multi-disci...

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2025 SafetyOn Stakeholder Forum

04/12/2025
2025 SafetyOn Stakeholder ForumThe 2025 annual SafetyOn Stakeholder Forum will take place on 05th December 2024 at the Edinburgh International Confere...

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Technical guidance publications

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