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.
0%
increase seen in overall investment in battery storage in 2020 (IEA)
0%
fall in the price (volume-weighted average) of a lithium-ion battery pack since 2010 saw prices reach an average of $137/kWh in 2020 (BloombergNEF)
0TWh
of global energy storage in forecast to be installed by 2030, compared to 34 GWh in 2020 (BloombergNEF)
0 billion
will be saved by bill-payers by 2050 by moving to a zero carbon gas grid (Energy Networks Association)
What's new?
UK budget extends energy subsidies and supports carbon capture and mini-nuclear reactors – but overlooks energy efficiency and renewables
22/03/2023
As anticipated, the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) has been extended for another three months, so the average household will pay no more than £2,500 a y...
Decarbonised power system by 2035 ‘not possible’ at current pace of delivery
15/03/2023
A decarbonised power system is the ‘central requirement’ for achieving net zero in the UK and the prize for all modern economies, according to the lat...
Report calls for urgent industry decarbonisation ramp up
15/03/2023
The production of steel, aluminium, petrochemicals and cement is due to increase in developing economies and stay flat, or only slightly decline, in m...
Europe’s largest grid-connected battery goes live
22/02/2023
The Capenhurst battery, located near Merseyside, is also reported to be the first in the world to have a commercial contract to provide reactive power...
ADNOC starts first fully sequestered CO2 injection project in carbonate rock
25/01/2023
ADNOC reports that the project which will see 100% of injected CO2 captured and sequestered in Abu Dhabi’s carbonate saline aquifer will come onstream...
Events and training
Oil & Gas Industry Fundamentals - Awareness - Nigeria
16/04/2023
OIL & GAS INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS
Aviation Jet Fuel - April 2023
18/04/2023
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...
Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition
21/09/2023
The Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition is the UK’s leading event for the bulk liquid storage sector. The event has a proven track record of ...
Hazardous Area Classification - November 2023
07/11/2023
This 3-day training course will provide delegates with training on the Energy Institute Model Safe Code of Practice 15, Area Classification for Instal...
Energy Storage Fundamentals for Energy Security - Online version
This online self-paced training course will allow you to gain a comprehensive understanding of energy security awareness and learn how to achieve ener...
Read more »Technical guidance publications
Model Code of Safe Practice Part 19: Fire precautions at petroleum refineries and bulk storage installations
2023
EI Model Code of Safe Practice Part 19: Fire precautions at petroleum refineries and bulk storage installations (a.k.a. EI 19) provides gui...
Model Code of Safe Practice Part 11: Bitumen safety code
2023
The 5th edition of Model Code of Safe Practice Part 11: Safety, health and environmental aspects of design, construction, operation, inspection and ma...
Tripod lite: A ‘lite’ tool for investigating simple incidents, events and near misses
2023
This publication is free to download. Register or log in, then click 'download'.Note: this will download a document 'landing page' that inc...
IP 467: Determination of the high temperature stability of middle distillate fuel
2023
This standard specifies a procedure for the assessment of the relative stability of middle distillate fuels under high temperature ageing conditions w...
IP 387: Determination of filter blocking tendency
2023
This standard specifies a method for the determination of the filter blocking tendency (FBT) and filterability of middle distillate fuel oils and non-...