Are lithium-ion batteries a viable energy storage solution?

Lithium-ion batteries were developed by a British scientist in the 1970s and were first used commercially by Sony in 1991, for the company’s handheld video recorder. While they’re currently the most economically viable energy storage solution, there are a number of other technologies for battery storage currently being developed.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS): Within the context of this document, this is taken to mean the products or equipment as placed on the market and will generally include the integrated batteries, power conversion and control.

Could a battery storage system save the UK energy system?

The UK government estimates technologies like battery storage systems – supporting the integration of more low-carbon power, heat and transport technologies – could save the UK energy system up to £40 billion ($48 billion) by 2050, ultimately reducing people’s energy bills.

What are battery storage plants?

In short, battery storage plants, or battery energy storage systems (BESS), are a way to stockpile energy from renewable sources and release it when needed. When the wind blows and the sun shines turbines and solar panels may generate more energy than needed on a particular day.

What is a grid-scale battery energy storage system?

Grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) enable us to use electricity more flexibly and decarbonise the energy system in a cost-effective way. [footnote 31] As the technology and innovation in battery design, manufacturing, transportation, and deployment evolves, so will the development of additional applications.

What is electricity storage?

Electricity storage covers a range of technologies that can deploy at different scales and provide output for different durations. This includes lithium-ion battery storage and pumped hydro storage as well as emerging technologies including liquid air energy storage and flow batteries.