E – 1169 Energy Storage for Solar and Wind Power

Wind and solar energy are intermittent sources of energy: the wind does not blow continuously nor does the sun always shine. If wind and solar power are ever to provide a significant portion of national energy use, devices are required that store the energy as it is generated and distribute the energy as it is needed. This course describes a number of such devices. The three most promising technologies are singled out for detailed study: pumped storage hydropower (PSH), compressed-air energy storage (CAES), and high-energy batteries. Issues of performance, site availability, costs, environmental impacts, the need for additional transmission lines, market development, and regulation are discussed.

This course is based on Chapter 12, “Energy Storage Technologies” of Volume 2 of “Renewable Electricity Futures Study. NREL/TP-6A20-52409-2. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2012.