Renewable Energy Storage Solutions: Innovations and Challenges

Renewable energy storage solutions are pivotal in ensuring the reliability and stability of modern power grids as renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are inherently variable. This paper reviews key innovations and challenges associated with renewable energy storage technologies, including electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal storage systems. The discussion spans the integration of energy storage into renewable energy systems, the benefits of various technologies, and the ba

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Renewable Energy Storage Solutions: Innovations and Challenges

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Research Output Journal of Engineering and Scientific Research 3(2): 45-48, 2024

ROJESR Publications Online ISSN: 1115-9790

https://rojournals.org/roj-engineering-and-scientific-research/ Print ISSN: 1115-6155

Page | 45

Renewable Energy Storage Solutions: Innovations and

Challenges
Nampiima Prisca J.
Faculty of Engineering Kampala International University Uganda
ABSTRACT
Renewable energy storage solutions are pivotal in ensuring the reliability and stability of modern power
grids as renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are inherently variable. This paper reviews
key innovations and challenges associated with renewable energy storage technologies, including
electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal storage systems. The discussion spans the integration of energy
storage into renewable energy systems, the benefits of various technologies, and the barriers to their
large-scale deployment. The conclusion highlights future directions for improving storage efficiency,
cost-effectiveness, and regulatory frameworks to support the global transition toward sustainable energy
systems.
Keywords: Renewable Energy, Energy Storage, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Pumped
Hydro Storage, Thermal Energy Storage.

INTRODUCTION
Energy storage has long been associated with many dimensions of society, as it plays an important role in
providing multiple benefits, such as securing energy supply, regulating the system frequency, providing
auxiliary services for different data communication schemes, and strengthening grid reliability by
responding to transmission and distribution network peak loads and by avoiding possible congestion. All
of these aspects have gained renewed interest with the growing use of environmentally friendly and cost-
effective renewable energy technologies. Since renewable sources of energy are weather dependent, the
associated power output is highly variable, forcing grid operators to maintain reserve power plants to
balance power supply and demand. Thus, according to the International Energy Agency, energy storage
technologies are critical for integrating high shares of wind and solar into the electricity system in such a
way that the benefits significantly outweigh the costs, i.e., for ensuring the transition towards high-level
integration of renewables, as stipulated by the ambitious targets for 2030 set by the European Union [1].
This essay reviews promising energy storage technologies, including physical and electrochemical-based
solutions. It also addresses the main requirements hindering the implementation of these technologies.
The first section introduces energy storage and its integration with renewable energy systems. The
following sections discuss the different energy storage systems, electrochemical solutions, and flexible
power and energy handling options. The essay concludes with energy storage prospects and future trends
[2].
IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY STORAGE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Energy storage has become an integral part of renewable energy systems to allow for the efficient use of
the electricity produced and to maximize the benefits of renewable energy systems. Recent applications of
energy storage in renewable energy systems are at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Energy
security can be increased by integrating these storage systems with renewable energy systems. Using
energy storage systems in the form of batteries, fuel cell systems, and pumped storage can help maintain
grid frequency, grid stability, and reliable continuous electricity supply. Reliability in electricity

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
generation can be enhanced by increasing the number of renewable energy and energy storage sources at
the location where the electricity demand occurs [3]. Energy storage can smooth diurnal variations in
electricity generation by renewable sources. Stored energy can meet peak demand periods. Variations in
output due to weather can be reduced with storage. Connecting storage to renewables can increase
penetration without grid changes. This better integrates fluctuating renewables with the grid. Energy
storage is attractive for grid resiliency and independence. Challenges include technology, economy,
environment, and regulation. Renewable energy and smart grid drive the need for efficient integration. Page | 46
Storage systems must improve predictability, reliability, and bidirectional power flow. Meeting technical
requirements and remaining competitive are additional challenges. Integration into the distribution grid
and market opportunities are economically challenging. Lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, but
environmental concerns hinder acceptance and development [4].
KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE
Energy storage is an attractive option to integrate renewable energy into the electric grid. It has been
used to smooth energy fluctuation, enhance reliability, and resiliency of the smart grid, and adjust the
supply-demand relationship between renewable energy and its consumption demand. There are a variety
of renewable energy storage technologies that can be classified into several levels, including mechanical
(such as pumped hydro storage), electrochemical (for example, battery energy storage systems), chemical
(like hydrogen storage) and thermal storage (e.g., thermal energy storage). All of these storage methods
have proven globally that energy storage plays an important role in the reliable use of renewable energy.
Here, we will discuss several renewable energy storage methods in a different way [5]. Many
technologies can store and later deliver electricity. Some of these available energy storage methods, such
as compressed air energy storage (CAES), hydrogen energy storage and pumped hydro storage, can store
a large amount of energy. Finally, we did a comparison of several main renewable energy storage
methods in terms of technology supply chain (critical raw materials), technology cost type, market
demand characteristics and industry competition. Overall, renewable energy storage plays an important
role in the flexible use of electrical energy, which is crucial for the comprehensive supply of clean and safe
electricity [6].
BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are innovative for renewable energy storage. They store energy
efficiently and quickly. BESSs manage energy demand and promote renewable energy development.
Different installation points create different application classes. BESSs offer power, energy, or a
combination of services. Chemical reactions in BESSs produce and store energy. BESS applications
benefit electric utility companies, end-users, and electricity systems. They provide uninterrupted power
quality, remove congestion, improve distribution system quality, increase asset life, and maximize market
benefits [7]. The greatest interest in BESSs is due to the need for these systems to manage the
intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. Moreover, they allow providing backup power during
outages caused by natural disasters or infrastructure vandalism. Therefore, BESSs can serve as a
reservoir of energy for wind and solar power when wind speed and solar insolation are optimal for the
conversion of electrical energy to a storable form. Beyond many qualified features, BESSs may experience
some operational and policy challenges that limit their implementation and use. These challenges, if not
properly addressed, will deter BESSs' role in the electric grid and associated services. The charging and
discharging processes using batteries make batteries degrade, and hence, the lifetime and durability are
significantly related to BESS usage [8].
PUMPED HYDRO STORAGE
In a two-reservoir pumped hydro storage, electricity is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an
upper reservoir for energy storage. This system has high round trip efficiency (up to 85%) and is widely
used. However, it requires a large water storage capacity and significant investment for construction,
limiting scalability. Pumped hydro becomes vital as the electrical grid increases its reliance on renewable
energy sources. Periods of excess power generation in the midday period, which occur due to high
average solar insolation, generate a large volume of excess capacity that would otherwise be wasted in the
current energy storage infrastructure. During periods of peak energy use, rain-fed dams that rely on
gravitational potential energy to build pressure behind them to generate electricity do so later in the day.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging typically occurs around the time people arrive at work and leave work.
Typical EV drivers plug in their vehicles around 4 PM and leave with a full charge in the morning, ready
to start their daily commutes. So for a four-person household, two adults driving 30-50 miles per day can
convert one hour of peak power for four vehicles into 24 hours of total driving distance [6].

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE
As electrical and thermal energies vary in terms of availability, it is important to develop efficient energy
storage systems for the optimal use of these energies. Various studies have reported thermal energy
storage using molten salts (MSs), organic materials, and phase change materials, which can perform with
energy densities of 200 kJ/kg, 80-200 kJ/kg, and 150 kJ/kg, respectively. However, the large-scale
energy storage system with TES is in the primary stage of development for specific applications such as
concentrated solar power, industrial process heat, heating, and cooling system. The TES can benefit such Page | 47
applications through load leveling, grid balancing, emission reduction, and renewable energy integration.
Moreover, specifically in the context of solar power, they offer operational support and excess reserves to
be used in the case of grid and power shortages [9]. In addition to supporting renewable energy
integration, TES has the additional advantage of module mobility and a considerably long operating time
with a reduction in auxiliary power costs. The adoption of thermal energy storage (TES) systems on a
large scale is subject to several challenges such as heat transfer deterioration, phase segregation,
corrosion, and complex flow patterns. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of TES on
energy storage criteria, including heat storage materials, design, operation, challenges, and the current
trends. In addition, the review has further been extended to include the latest developments and best
current practices for solar thermal energy storage technology.
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Battery technology is the major approach in energy storage for most renewable sources. However, the
current battery technology has evolved from conventional systems and is still facing severe challenges in
large-scale installation. It is important to innovate new approaches to address the technical and economic
challenges. The benefits offered by supercapacitor technology are high power density, specific power,
reliability, cycle life, and capacitance in the microfarad range. Although the storage capacity is limited
compared with conventional battery energy storage, advances are underway to increase supercapacitor
capacity and improve capacitance and density for large-scale implementation. It is expected that the
supercapacitor bank will be required to work in parallel with a battery bank, allowing for the participation
of both technologies, to make use of the supercapacitor in absorbing energy from the renewable energy
source (RES) in large, swift bursts and supporting battery performance in reducing the DC-link voltage
error. The innovative grid management concept and MMC control strategies on supercapacitive energy
storage as active power, filtering negative and oscillate current limiting will be the challenges for
experienced researchers [10]. Under the background of China's "Energy Production and Consumption
Revolution Strategy," low-carbon energy systems and resources have attracted wide attention. The main
forms of renewable energy are solar photovoltaic and wind power, which have developed rapidly in recent
years. The number of power generation segments based on renewable energy is expected to increase from
approximately 51 GW in 2016 to 275 GW by 2026. Wind power has been the main energy storage
technology used to cope with instability at any point of single point or composite of PV/Wind. The
coefficient of variation of space between rechargeable battery and supercapacitor lies approximately
between 0.052-0.057 and 0.57-0.63 respectively for an installed capacity of 100 kW [11].
CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Nowadays, energy storage technologies are developing rapidly to adapt to the fluctuating energy supply
from renewable sources. Although many innovative storage solutions have been proposed from the
laboratory to the community level, in general, these energy storage systems are still facing significant
commercial realization barriers. Key obstacles in economic, technical, and regulatory aspects of battery
energy storage and power-to-gas schemes at the community level were discussed. Power-price arbitrage
is believed to be the potential revenue stream for individual investors to achieve economic success.
Battery life expectancy is found to be the key factor in making power-to-gas solutions economically
attractive. Moreover, legal arrangements need to be revised for hybrid-type storage systems, where
battery storage and hydrogen production run simultaneously for more than 3000 hours per year [12].
Based on the findings, we propose a generic pathway for advancing energy storage systems' transfer from
the laboratory to the commercial field. The proposed transitionary measures are as follows: 1) Identify the
opportunities and applications in the local energy system and commercial fields. 2) Develop robust and
reliable test cycles for the storage systems with realistic pricing regimes and electrical demand. 3)
Standardize the energy storage system's control systems. 4) Elaborate comprehensive economic feasibility
studies for combined battery and power-to-gas energy storage systems. 5) Policymakers should assess the
grid impact of combined battery and power-to-gas energy storage systems and how they relate to other
existing grid services.