The world is rapidly moving away from fossil fuels amid a critical transition to renewable energy. This revolution is driven by the need to combat climate change and meet the growing demand for electricity. As such, energy storage technologies are setting up to be the foundation for progress, creating a cleaner, more efficient and reliable power infrastructure.Â
These developments in energy storage are applicable on a larger grid scale and for at-home electricity needs. Perhaps most importantly, the latest advancements address key issues in widespread renewable energy adoption, such as intermittency and harnessing excess power supply for later use.Â
The Importance of Energy Storage Technologies
Among all storms in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Hurricane Helene stands out. After making landfall as a Category 4 in Florida’s Big Bend, Helene rolled north into the Appalachian Mountains and Tennessee Valley, leaving a wave of destruction and power outages in its path. The storm sent 6 million customers into darkness at its worst intensity, with some communities having to wait several weeks for electricity to be restored.
Unfortunately, hurricanes and other natural disasters are intensifying and becoming more frequent with worsening climate change. As a result, the electricity grid faces undue pressure from taking a beating and peak usage. Studies suggest the demand for electric power capacity could reach 7,200 gigawatts by 2040 — a staggering amount.
Renewable energy — solar, wind, hydrogen, geothermal and more — requires the right weather conditions for reliable and consistent generation. However, storing excess power can significantly stabilize the grid, decrease the need for fossil fuels, and ensure households and businesses can keep the lights on.Â
6 Energy Storage Innovations Driving the Transition to Clean Energy
Although technological advancements in renewables have been swift, the broader transition to clean energy is ongoing. These six energy storage innovations are proving to be catalysts for change and progress.
1. Lithium-Ion Battery Storage
Improvements to lithium-ion batteries are among the latest trends in battery storage technologies — a promising innovation for clean power generation. Although most commonly associated with electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries may be employed for other purposes.Â
For example, forklifts often use lithium and graphite batteries instead of lead-acid varieties. These batteries weigh between 500 and 2,500 pounds and boast tremendous efficiencies, from high energy capacity to low discharge rates to quick rechargeability.
For these same reasons, lithium-ion batteries are revolutionizing grid-scale energy storage. Experts are continuously improving capacity and speed while helping to lower manufacturing costs.Â
2. Redox Flow Batteries
Redox flow batteries are also emerging as a catalyst for transitioning to clean power. Depending on energy storage demand, these batteries last 25-30 years and are scalable.Â
Unlike lithium-ion storage — which maintains power in tangible electrodes — redox flow batteries store excess energy in chemical solutions in separate containers. This makes their designs more adaptable than lithium-ion regarding power generation.
In July 2022, China commissioned the largest vanadium redox flow battery worldwide, with a 100-megawatt capacity and 400-megawatt-hour storage volume. The new system will ease electricity loads in Dalian City, enhancing the power supply and incorporating renewable energy into the grid.Â
3. Hybrid Energy Storage Systems
Some renewable energy types are more consistent than others. For instance, solar power relies on sunlight, while wind energy depends on wind. This has led many to derive power from multiple sources. Iceland is a prime example, producing nearly 100% of its electricity from hydropower and geothermal energy.
Of course, multiple renewable energy sources require hybrid storage solutions — combining different systems for varying types. Though these technologies are quickly developing, they aren’t quite ready for widespread use. The primary challenge is integrating multiple storage mechanisms in one system and overcoming interoperability struggles, followed by the cost of investment.Â
4. Thermal Energy Storage
Geothermal energy is now a critical component of the renewable power portfolio. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems make it possible to store and use geothermal for heat and electricity later on. This approach also applies to preserving excess solar power when sunlight is unavailable.
With TES, renewable energy is stored in a vessel with various materials, such as ice, salt, sand or wax. A building itself can serve as thermal storage, holding onto the power until it’s needed.Â
National labs, corporations, universities and communities are currently researching TES technologies. Stor4Build hopes to reduce TES costs and seek ways to decarbonize the electric grid, decrease outages and address peak energy loads. Researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are also studying hybrid designs and applying artificial intelligence and machine learning tools for optimal TES effectiveness.
5. Hydrogen Storage
Hydrogen storage is key to developing hydrogen and fuel cell energy technologies. This power source can be stored as liquid or gas, with different requirements for each. For instance, hydrogen gas is best kept in storage tanks with a pressure of 5,000-10,000 pounds per square inch, while hydrogen liquid needs cryogenic temperatures.Â
The U.S. Department of Energy started exploring hydrogen storage for light-duty vehicles, portable power devices and material-handling equipment. Since the average passenger car emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, hydrogen power should allow cars to better meet the standards for maximum distance, load capacity, refueling time and overall efficiency.
6. Distributed Storage
The impact of distributed energy storage is felt directly within communities. These decentralized systems — such as microgrids or rooftop solar panels — decrease grid pressure, improve energy security and ensure a more consistent power supply.Â
The Texas Reliability Coalition just started an educational outreach program to inform community members and elected officials about how microgrids can boost the state’s grid resilience.Â
In recent years, Texas has been especially affected by bad weather and has faced prolonged power outages and grid damage. Constructing microgrid infrastructure could be a viable solution. Throughout hurricanes Milton, Helene and Beryl, 450 microgrids within six states prevented 850 grid disruptions, delivering electricity to communities in need during the worst of times.Â
Opportunity Awaits With Cutting-Edge Clean Energy Storage Solutions
Today’s energy storage innovations are paving the way to tomorrow’s cleaner, more sustainable power landscape. From the latest trends in battery storage technologies to improving grid resilience, these solutions are reshaping the future of energy.