“Grid energy storage” (also large-scale or utility-scale storage) refers to a grid-connected energy storage
system. A high penetration of renewable energy sources will require major alterations to a power system’s opera-
tion. Electricity from renewable energy sources (specifically wind and solar) are intermittent, which can lead to
system instability and a mismatch in supply and demand. Thus, energy storage is essential
to increase the pen-
etration of renewable energy power generation as well as for the overall energy efficiency in the power genera-
tion sector.
The commercial readiness of energy storage varies according to the technology and application. Pumped
storage is the most widespread system
in use on power networks, representing about 3 per cent of the global
generating capacity. Other storage technologies include compressed air energy storage (CAES), flywheels,
lead-acid batteries, sodium sulphur batteries and capacitor systems.
23
Battery storage
methods are suitable for
small-scale applications, such as battery-backup systems for solar panel homes.
Smart grids
Smart grid technology consists of multiple components and systems. A smart grid basically describes
the existing
grid enriched by new networks of sensing, communication and control technologies. These networks are
linked
by universal standards and protocols that are constantly added and updated. The grid becomes “smarter”
through the deployment of communication and control devices and through the integration of complex
optimizing software enabled by advances in information technology. In
simpler terms, a smart grid is made up
of a series of smart devices connected over a network to computers that use the data
provided by the devices
to optimize the system.
