2018 Energy Storage Capacity, by Owner Energy storage systems, including pumped hydro, batteries, thermal storage, and compressed air systems, can provide several benefits to the global energy grid. There are nearly 180 GW of operational energy storage capacity worldwide, more than half of which is owned by electric companies.
Energy storage plays a crucial role in adding high levels of renewable energy to the grid and reducing the demand for electricity from inefficient, polluting power plants. The good news is that energy storage strategies are being adopted rapidly.
How can energy storage support the global transition to clean electricity?
To support the global transition to clean electricity, funding for development of energy storage projects is required. Pumped hydro, batteries, hydrogen, and thermal storage are a few of the technologies currently in the spotlight.
Still, the pace of energy storage development is accelerating, and new innovations are emerging that can make the process cheaper, more flexible, and more efficient. Systems that use electricity to produce clean hydrogen, for example, can offer high-efficiency, cost-effective storage options for the future.
Are energy storage strategies being adopted quickly?
The good news is that energy storage strategies are being adopted rapidly. The global energy storage market almost tripled in size in 2023, and analysts expect it to keep growing at an annual rate of 21 percent through 2030. Some experts worry, however, that even that robust progress is not enough.
How will energy storage systems impact the developing world?
Mainstreaming energy storage systems in the developing world will be a game changer. They will accelerate much wider access to electricity, while also enabling much greater use of renewable energy, so helping the world to meet its net zero, decarbonization targets.
How will energy storage affect global electricity production?
Global electricity output is set to grow by 50 percent by mid-century, relative to 2022 levels. With renewable sources expected to account for the largest share of electricity generation worldwide in the coming decades, energy storage will play a significant role in maintaining the balance between supply and demand.