Powering Progress: Impact of Stationary Battery Storage on Renewable Energy Transition

23 Jan 2023

The climate crisis is centered on energy, and sustainable energy is essential to finding a solution. The evidence is crystal clear, i.e., carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels must be cut in half by 2030 and reach zero by 2050 to prevent the worst effects of climate change. To do this, humans must stop relying on fossil fuels and start putting their money into reliable, accessible, and affordable, clean and renewable energy sources.

For renewable energy technology to be a global public good or accessible to everyone rather than just the wealthy, it will be essential to lower obstacles to knowledge sharing and technological transfer, especially those relating to intellectual property rights.

For instance, using technologies such as stationary battery storage systems, renewable energy from sources such as solar and wind can be stored and released when people, communities, and businesses require power.

In this article, the impact of stationary storage energy systems has been discussed in detail. However, let’s understand what a stationary storage battery is. 

What is stationary battery storage? 

Stationary storage energy refers to the use of batteries or other energy storage devices to store electricity that can be used later, as opposed to its immediate use. This type of energy storage is typically used for grid-scale applications, such as balancing supply and demand on the electric power grid, or for off-grid applications, such as providing backup power for homes or businesses. The most common forms of stationary storage energy are batteries, but other forms of storage include pumped hydroelectric, compressed air, and flywheels.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the development and deployment of stationary storage batteries. This is due in part to the falling costs of lithium-ion batteries, which have made them more economical for many applications.

Several major companies and utilities have announced plans to invest heavily in stationary storage, including Tesla and General Electric. Additionally, several countries have announced plans to increase their use of renewable energy, which is also expected to increase the need for stationary storage.

Research in the field of battery storage technology is also advancing quickly, with many companies and institutions working on developing new types of batteries with higher energy density, longer lifetimes, and lower costs. Some examples include solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and zinc-based batteries.

Therefore, driven by the increasing focus on renewable energy, supportive government policies, the need for electricity grid optimization, and decreasing cost of batteries, the stationary energy storage market is expected to grow significantly. 

According to the BIS Research report, the global stationary energy storage market is projected to reach $233.9 billion by 2031 from $28.0 billion in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 23.4% during the forecast period 2022-2031.


How do stationary storage systems impact the renewable energy transition?

Stationary storage batteries can play a crucial role in the global sustainable fuel resolution by pushing renewable energy transition and help in overcoming some of the challenges associated with intermittent energy sources, such as wind and solar power. A few of the practical applications of the stationary storage system are discussed as follows: 


1.    Efficient energy storage: One of the main advantages of stationary storage batteries is their ability to store energy that can be used later. This allows excess energy generated during periods of high electricity generation to be saved for use during periods of low generation. This can help to increase the amount of renewable energy that is actually used rather than wasted.

2.    Increased grid stability with stationary energy storage : Stationary storage batteries can help to balance supply and demand on the electric power grid by storing energy generated by renewable sources and releasing it when demand is high. The multiple methods of power generation cause a variety of problems for local electrical systems. The currently available power grids weren't originally designed to handle variable generation output and are already straining to supply the electricity that is now available. These problems arise from the need to maintain a balance between supply and demand to avoid any kind of energy constraints. To avoid energy shortages, it is necessary to synchronize supply as well as safely integrate fluctuating supplies and demand.

The intermittent output of renewable energy sources can be lessened, and the abrupt ramp-up and ramp-down of wind and solar energy production can be slowed down by stationary energy storage systems. Long-duration utility-scale energy storage systems have a huge possibility to increase the usage of renewable energy sources by successfully balancing energy supply and demand in response to the loss or decline of this resource.

3.    Increased Reliability with stationary energy storage: Increased reliability from a stationary energy storage system is achieved by providing backup power during power outages or other emergencies. When the grid experiences a disruption, such as from a natural disaster, a stationary energy storage system can automatically provide power to critical loads, maintaining continuity of service for those customers and allowing time for grid operators to repair and restore the grid. This can help prevent blackouts and brownouts caused by the loss of power.

4.    Cost-Effectiveness with stationary energy storage: Stationary energy storage systems can prove to be cost-effective by reducing the need for expensive peaker plants, which are only used during times of high demand. Peaker plants are typically powered by fossil fuels and are used to meet the occasional and brief periods of peak demand. By storing energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during periods of high demand, stationary storage can reduce the need for peaker plants, which can save money by avoiding the costs associated with building, operating, and maintaining these plants.

5.    Reduction of Transmission Cost with stationary energy storage: With storage batteries, it is possible to generate and store power in decentralized systems and use it locally, reducing the need for transmission lines, which can be costly and sometimes complex to install.

The development of efficient and cost-effective stationary storage batteries is therefore crucial for the widespread adoption of renewable energy. With the advancements in battery technology and decreasing costs, the potential of energy storage is widely considered the next frontier in the energy transition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, stationary battery storage systems have the potential to play a significant role in the transition to more sustainable, renewable energy-based power systems. With its ability to store energy generated by intermittent sources such as wind and solar and release it when it is needed, it can help to increase the amount of renewable energy that is used and help to balance supply and demand on the electric grid.

It also helps to improve the reliability of the power supply and reduce transmission costs. Stationary storage batteries can also be used for backup power during outages and emergencies. The falling costs of batteries and rapid advancement in technology also make it more economically feasible. Stationary energy storage is therefore considered a crucial element in the renewable energy transition, as it can help to overcome some of the challenges associated with renewable energy and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Interested to know more about the growing technologies in your industry vertical? Get the latest market studies and insights from BIS Research. Connect with us at  [email protected] to learn and understand more. 

 
 

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