Top 10: Energy Storage Technologies
Electrification, integrating renewables and making grids more reliable are all things the world needs.
However, these canāt happen without an increase in energy storage.
Battery storage in the power sector was the fastest growing energy technology commercially available in 2023 according to the IEA.
The demand for energy storage can only continue to grow, and a variety of technologies are being used on different scales.
Energy Digital has ranked 10 of the top energy storage technologies.
10. Gravity energy storage
Key benefit: Long lifespan
Leading companies: Enel, Energy Vault, Gravitricity
Non-hydro gravity storage can hold on to energy for days, making it a suitable technology for grid balancing and supporting renewable integration.
This technology doesnāt use chemistry to store energy, so can have a longer storage life as there are no concerns with chemical degradation. This also removes risks of chemical fires.
Energy Vaultās EVx Gravity Energy Storage System (GESS) is being commissioned in Rudong, China and will be the worldās first grid-scale GESS when fully operational.
Nine deployments of its EVx technology are underway across China totalling more than 3.7 GWh.
9. Supercapacitors
Key benefit: Rapid discharge
Leading companies: Eaton, Tesla, Skeleton
Supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors, are energy storage devices that bridge the gap between traditional capacitors and rechargeable batteries.
They store energy through a combination of electrostatic and electrochemical mechanisms that allow for rapid charge and discharge cycles alongside high power density.
“The market for supercapacitors continues to expand and we are pleased to offer the solutions our customers need for higher power applications,” said Nick Stone, Eaton’s Product Manager for Supercapacitor Modules.
“Eaton’s new XLR-51 supercapacitor module is designed for environments that demand rugged construction while also being able to meet the high-power, high-energy needs.”
8. Hydrogen energy storage
Key benefit: Long-term storage
Leading companies: Linde, Air Liquide, Siemens Energy
When there is excess electricity during periods of low demand, it can be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis.
This hydrogen can either be stored and used for energy later, or converted to methane with the addition of captured carbon dioxide that can be used in existing infrastructure.
Siemens Energy has been chosen to supply a 280 megawatt electrolysis system by German utility EWE.
āThis project is an important element in the ramp-up of the green hydrogen industry in Germany,ā says Anne-Laure de Chammard, Member of the Executive Board of Siemens Energy.
"With the long-awaited funding commitments, the German government has placed the final piece of the puzzle to realize strategically important projects like this on a large scale.ā
7. Flywheel energy storage
Key benefit: Fast response time
Leading companies: Amber Kinetics, S4 Energy, Beacon Power
Flywheel energy storage mechanically stores energy by spinning a flywheel at very high speeds, converting electrical energy into kinetic energy.
It maintains this as rotational kinetic energy and slows down to convert energy back to electricity through a motor-generator.
ABB motors and drives enable S4 Energy’s flywheels at a Dutch power plant to store and release energy with maximum efficiency.
“The Heerhugowaard facility is our latest energy storage system, but our first to actively support a wind park,” said Dominque Becker Hoff, Director of Projects at S4 Energy.
“We are now set to accelerate our business and expand our services, and ABB’s expertise in pairing flywheels with drives and motors has been critical in helping us to achieve this position.”
6. Flow batteries
Key benefit: Scalability
Leading companies: LG Chem, Sumitomo Electric Industries, OCI
Flow batteries store energy in liquid electrolytes held in external tanks.
It is easy to increase the capacity of these batteries by enlarging tanks or boost their power by adding more cells.
Sumitomo Electric Industries’ redox flow battery has been selected for a power system stabilisation project in Japan by SHIN-IDEMITSU.
High levels of solar radiation in Japan have led to significant expansion of solar power deployment, and this system hopes to stabilise the supply.
The company says: “Sumitomo Electric’s redox flow battery was chosen for this project due to its long lifespan, excellent durability and reduced risk of fire.”
5. Compressed air energy storage
Key benefit: Durability
Leading companies: Siemens Energy, Storelectric, BaroMar
Compressed air energy storage (CAES) uses electricity to compress air which can be stored under pressure in containers or underground caverns.
When electricity is needed, the compressed air is released, heated and expanded through a turbine to generate electricity.
Siemens Energy provides grid-scale CAES that can achieve full compression in less than five minutes.
The company says: “We support projects from conceptual design through commercial operation and beyond.
“Our CAES solution includes all the associated above ground systems, plant engineering, procurement, construction, installation, start-up services and long term service support.”
4. Thermal energy storage
Key benefit: Reliability
Leading companies: Vattenfall, Trane, MAN Energy Solutions
Thermal energy storage (TES) captures energy as heat or cold which can be retrieved and used for heating, cooling or generating electricity.
Molten salt, for example, can be heated with solar energy during the day and used to create steam and generate power at night.
MAN Energy Solutions’ Molten-Salt Energy Storage (MOSAS) is used by the German Aerospace Centre in Jülich, Germany.
“We analyse how liquid salts behave at even higher temperatures. Our goal is to raise the salt temperature to 600°C. In doing so, we are striving to further increase efficiency and also reduce the cost of electricity production,” said Miriam Ebert, Project Manager at the German Aerospace Centre’s Institute for Solar Research.
“On a small scale, the molten-salt circuit in our pilot plant works almost like a larger, solar-thermal power plant. This means that our findings can be scaled up to an industrial level.”
3. Lead-acid batteries
Key benefit: Low cost
Leading companies: Panasonic, Clarios, LEOCH
Lead-acid batteries are one of the oldest and most widely used types of rechargeable batteries.
They come in several forms, including flooded or wet cell batteries and valve-regulated
LEOCH International has secured a US$20m contract to supply high-rate lead-acid batteries for a Fortune 500 company’s data centre project.
The company says: “Designed for data centres and other high-demand applications, LEOCH's high-rate lead-acid batteries integrate premium materials and patented formulations, delivering superior power density and high-current endurance compared to conventional solutions.
“With a design lifespan surpassing 15 years, these batteries adhere to the industry's most stringent quality control and certification standards, ensuring exceptional reliability and long-term operational stability.
“The confidence expressed by global clients highlights LEOCH's manufacturing excellence and quality assurance, paving the way for expanded strategic collaborations.”
2. Lithium-ion batteries
Key benefit: High energy density
Leading companies: BYD, Panasonic, CATL
Lithium-ion batteries are in everything, from EVs to TV remotes.
They store and release electrical energy through the movement of lithium ions between two electrodes.
Lithium-ion batteries can store much more energy per unit of weight or volume than other battery types, making them ideal for a lot of scenarios.
CATL specialises in manufacturing and developing technology for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
The company has announced an agreement with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to accelerate the development of a circular economy for batteries, making this technology more sustainable.
"This Strategic Partnership represents a major step forward in our shared vision of a sustainable energy future," said Sandy Song, CATL's Global Lead for Circular Economy.
"By combining our knowledge and innovation capabilities in the battery industry with the Foundation's leadership in the circular economy, we are well-positioned to create a truly circular battery ecosystem.
“This is not just about environmental responsibility - it's about driving innovation and building a system that benefits industries and communities worldwide."
1. Pumped storage hydroelectricity
Key benefit: Long-duration storage
Leading companies: GE Vernova, Voith Group, Drax Group
Pumped storage hydro (PSH) is a large-scale method of storing energy that can be converted into hydroelectric power.
Electricity is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir, and when needed the stored water is released back down through turbines, generating electricity.
This technology is proven and reliable with a long operational history.
Drax owns Cruachan Power Station, one of only four PSH stations in the UK with enough capacity to power 1.4 million homes.
It also received development consent from the Scottish Government to build a new 600MW underground PSH plant at its existing Cruachan facility.
Steve Marshall, Drax’s Development Manager, said: “Growing the UK’s pumped storage hydro capacity is crucial to integrating more wind and solar power onto the energy grid, enhancing the nation’s energy security while tackling climate change.
“Pumped storage plants act like giant water batteries by using reversible turbines to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir which stores excess power from sources such as wind farms when supply outstrips demand.
“These same turbines are then reversed to bring the stored water back through the plant to generate power when the country needs it.”
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