Electrical Energy Storage — The future roles and challenges

The recent IEC white paper on Electrical Energy Storage presented that energy storage has played three main roles. First, it reduces cost of electricity costs by storing electricity during off-peak times for use at peak times. Secondly, it improves the reliability of the power supply by supporting the users during power interruptions. Thirdly, it improves power quality, frequency and voltage. Energy storage is expected to solve many problems including excessive power fluctuation and undependable power supply due to the use of large penetration levels of renewable energy. Electric vehicles with batteries are the most promising technology to replace fossil fuels by electricity from mostly renewable energy sources. This tutorial presents the future roles and challenges of electrical energy storage.