Battery storage “still needs to demonstrate that it eventually can become cost-effective and reduce its significant ecological footprint,” says Dr. Sebastian Lüning.
Wind and solar energy’s high supply volatility require mass battery storage capacity.
Chart below Germany’s demand and supply by wind and sun energy.
Future electricity storage solutions need to have very large capacity. They may be needed to supply whole nations for several days. Or to fill renewable supply gaps for a week or more. Cost is an object.
Research efforts are in progress on:
(1) Rechargeable batteries,
(2) Pumped hydro energy storage,
(3) Power-to-gas and power-to-liquid,
(4) Compressed air,
(5) Thermal, and
(6) Flywheels.
For thermal energy storage (TES) -- None of the existing plants have worked, even with the use of natural gas to preheat the storage medium.
Artificial fuels (power-to-liquid and power-to-gas) can be stored and transported using established fossil fuel industry transportation. Artificial fuels can be exported to customers over great distances without major losses.
Battery storage is extremely expensive.
People who want zero carbon energy by 2030 or even 2050 are dreaming.
Any system that can’t supply power for weeks continuously cannot be a major player in electricity generation. That counts out wind, solar, battery and to some extent hydro-electric power too.