An Introduction to the Energy Storage Industry

You’ve come to the right place if you’ve ever wondered what an energy storage company does. This article delves into the fundamentals of the energy storage industry, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and China’s plans for developing energy storage. There are numerous factors to consider if you want to work in the industry.

 

What exactly does an energy storage company do?

A company specializing in energy storage offers a variety of services. These services include storing electricity, providing backup power during power outages, and monitoring the performance of storage systems. These services are critical to the grid’s reliability and resilience. These businesses are a valuable resource that businesses can use to reduce their electricity bills.

 

Energy storage is an important tool for assisting power grids in adapting to changing consumer demands. It contributes to the smooth delivery of renewable energy resources while reducing the need for backup power plants. It also aids in the addition of renewable resources to the grid, which increases the capacity factor of the existing resources and aids in the supply mix change.

 

Energy storage is becoming more popular among states. California, Oregon, and Massachusetts have all passed legislation requiring utilities to construct five megawatts of energy storage by 2020. The United States House of Representatives passed H.4857 in July 2018, outlining a goal of installing at least 1,000 megawatts of energy storage capacity by 2030.

 

Furthermore, a number of other states have taken steps to encourage the use of energy storage. Hawaii has been at the forefront of the renewable energy storage transition. Hawaiian Electric Industries recently completed two projects for less than eight cents per kilowatt-hour (MWh). Furthermore, H.4857 was passed in Massachusetts, which calls for the development of 1,000 megawatt-hours of energy storage capacity by 2025.

 

Among its many advantages, energy storage allows buildings to reduce their electricity consumption during peak periods. These peak times are during the summer and at night, when electricity demand is at its peak. Electricity prices rise during these periods, and power plants must ramp up to meet the increased demand. Buildings can use energy storage to keep a steady supply of electricity and sell it back to the grid when demand is low.

 

The Effects of COVID-19 on the Energy Storage Industry

In the face of COVID-19, the energy industry must prioritize the protection of processes, assets, and supply chains in order to ensure a steady supply of raw materials. Early intervention is critical in reducing the risk of a recession and economic crisis. To ensure continued supply, investors and developers must identify weak supply chains and implement appropriate alternatives.

 

COVID-19 may cause some distributed energy projects to be delayed in the short term. However, in the long run, it may increase demand. The storage industry anticipates revenue reductions and customer delays as a result of the impact. Furthermore, there will be difficulties obtaining equipment and supplies, and permit and approval processes will take longer to complete. A third of those polled anticipated revenue cuts of up to 20%. However, the majority of respondents do not expect to lose their jobs.

 

During the forecast period, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the largest market for battery energy storage. The region is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Furthermore, government policies in this area attempt to reduce the environmental damage caused by the energy industry.

 

The PHES (pumped hydroelectric energy storage) technology is the dominant and widely used technology in stationary electrochemical energy storage. While PHES is the most commonly used in stationary applications, LIBs (Lithium-ion batteries) are the most commonly used in nonstationary applications. Regardless, the impact of COVID-19 is likely to change the rates of LIB usage. Large-capacity grid energy storage has become more important as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

The current energy storage market in China

Energy storage is becoming more popular in China. The government has set a goal of increasing total renewable capacity by 2020, which includes energy storage. The country is already on track to deploy approximately 1.2GW/1.7GWh of non-hydro energy storage by the end of 2020. It expects to have more than seven times that amount, or roughly 70GW, by 2026.

 

The Chinese energy storage market is still in its early stages, and there are some obstacles to overcome. Other countries’ markets are slowing, and there have been a number of battery fires in Europe. Despite these obstacles, Chinese companies are working to supply batteries to other countries and for other purposes. China also wants to accelerate the deployment of its 5G communications network, which will require a large amount of energy for backup power.

 

China’s plan to develop energy storage

Demand for energy storage is expected to rise as China’s solar market expands. As a result, the government is actively updating its policies in order to promote the development of new energy storage technologies. On June 7th, for example, the central government issued a notice allowing energy storage companies to apply for solar markets and provide ancillary services. This could help improve the industry’s payback and economic value in China.

 

By 2024, the Chinese market for energy storage is anticipated to increase by 30%. Government policies that encourage growth and ongoing investments in renewable energy generation will help to accelerate this growth. Furthermore, growing concerns about global warming and efforts to reduce carbon emissions will drive up demand for energy storage systems. Some of the major players in China’s energy storage market right now are CATL, Exide Technologies, Dynavolt, Sunwoda, CLOU Electronics, and Sacred Sun.

 

China has recently sent signals to foreign investors encouraging them to invest in the energy storage industry. As a result, foreign technology providers and investors now have a more favorable environment. Furthermore, the government actively promotes international cooperation. China’s energy storage market is growing slowly, but recent policy changes are expected to accelerate the process and position China as a global leader in energy storage.