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?

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Events and training

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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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-...

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