10 Years for Energy Storage: from Dream to Reality

In 2021 we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the creation of EASE – The European Association for Storage of Energy, and we are excited to celebrate it during the first hybrid edition of the Energy Storage Global Conference.

Ten years ago, the energy storage industry started as an idea, maybe a dream, but after a lot of progress, today it’s fair to say that energy storage is a reality. If we look at where energy storage stands today many achievements come to mind.

Energy storage has become a vetted technology

Although as of today most of the installations are still built with lithium-ion batteries, energy storage has become a vetted technology, and we see more and more innovative efforts leading to longer duration solutions, which are expected to become economically viable in the next years.

European and national regulation is being enacted to facilitate the roll-out of energy storage projects

From a regulatory perspective, both at the European level and at the Member State level regulation is being enacted to facilitate the roll-out of energy storage projects. In fact, many EU countries consider energy storage as a key-element of the energy transition and have incorporated specific targets for energy storage roll-out.

Energy storage tenders are having huge success

Increasingly, we see tenders being held either for storage specifically or for storage paired with renewables, almost always with high level of oversubscription.

Not only the utilities, but also C&I customers, start now seeing the benefit of energy storage as a key element to optimise their energy bill and become more sustainable.

Banking and value optimisation is becoming mainstream

Large financial institutions are getting more and more comfortable with the business models energy storage can provide, and have started to fund important project portfolios.

Additionally, the software that runs energy storage projects to optimise its value, are becoming more and more sophisticated thanks to AI and advanced algorithms.

All these elements show us how energy storage has been put on the map and is becoming a key element of the energy transition, not only to provide more flexibility to the system, but also to shift energy to when it is really needed. Energy storage provides flexibility and backup power without adding CO₂ emissions, and that’s why its fast deployment is so important.

What can we expect for the next decade?

Massive scaling will start any moment now with energy storage capacity roll-out in the EU, worldwide, at utility, C&I and residential level, everywhere. Also, new technologies will soon become economically viable, ranging from more energy dense and safer batteries, to longer duration solutions allowing to shift large energy quantities that can be used when needed.

Storage will be paired more and more with other key elements of the energy value chain, empowering consumers to integrate renewables, electric cars and heating systems at their homes, while selling electricity and services to the grid. Storage will support the roll-out of micro-grids and energy communities as never before.

To support this exciting outlook, the energy storage industry counts on a legislation that continues to facilitate its roll-out, for example by allowing for longer term contracts for balancing services or by defining price signals or incentives to accelerate the roll-out of the technology in line with the system needs.

Also, the technology neutral implementation of the Clean Energy Package is a major driver for energy storage. Using the sustainable finance mechanisms for all energy storage technologies is vital, as well as implementing common standards for safety requirements. Finally, the permitting procedures, including the technical requirements, need to be streamlined to allow for a fast roll-out.

Energy storage is a reality and it’s now the time to scale, will you join us?

 - Extract of the keynote speech of Mr David Post, EASE President,

at the 4th Energy Storage Global Conference -