World Energy Resources | 2016

WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL | E-STORAGE
similar services Limited volumes arrangements
Energy security
Only useful in short
term
Strong benefits if fuel
storage is included in
costs, or fuel source
is secure.
Strong benefits if the
other networks have
high energy security.
Only useful in short
term
Assists with
network operation
(if regulatory
framework permits)
Very limited High High High (for some
applications)
Reduces network
capital investment
(if regulatory
framework permits)
High benefit in some
locations
High benefit,
depending on
location
Low benefit, except
in specific locations
High benefit for most
applications
Program Very short lead times Long lead times Very long lead times Short lead times
Familiar
technology
Simple, but
communications and
control need
demonstration and
validation
Familiar technology
Familiar technology
(though HVDC is a
developing
technology)
Some technologies
very established, others
new. Communications
and control need
demonstration and
validation
Emissions and
decarbonisation
when used with
variable
renewables
High: very little new
equipment or
construction needed.
Limited volumes
Fair: on large
electricity systems,
may only need to
burn fuel for a few
hundred hours per
year
Large carbon
footprint. Benefits
depend on fuel mix
of interconnected
systems
High: though carbon
footprint is significant
for some technologies,
and losses need to be
considered
Electricity storage gets much of the attention, but thermal storage is also important,
because much of our energy is used as heat or cooling. For direct heating or cooling
applications, thermal storage provides advantages in reducing the nominal rating of the
heating or cooling plant, and allowing energy to be stored from low-price periods. A prime
example is the use of ice to shift electricity demand for air conditioners from peak price
periods to off-peak 17 .
It is arguable that thermal storage used in this context is more accurately considered as
demand management.
The third area is Power to Gas. Hydrogen, methane or other gaseous fuels can be stored
more easily than electricity, though conversion losses from electricity are substantially
higher than for electricity storage. The gas has multiple potential markets: industrial gases,
17
See for example http://www.ice-energy.com/
48