Storage Needs

Imagine energy storage that can significantly enhance grid security and reliability; that can support the increased integration of renewable technologies; that does not rely on water.

Imagine technological components that have been proven time over time, that cost less to operate and run more efficiently as an integrated system; that can be more widely deployed as grid-scale assets at the point of intermittent generation.

Imagine an energy storage technology that can play a significant role in mitigating the effects of global warming.

Imagine an energy storage technology uniquely suited for arid regions where existing transmission capacity is attempting to keep up with the increasing deployment of large-scale wind and solar generation facilities.

The global market for energy storage is growing rapidly as the need to integrate diverse generation assets intensifies.  Solar and wind energy generation are fundamentally intermittent and their aggregate peak output is rarely coincident with peak system loads, delivering on annual average less than 30% of their rated capacity into the electrical grid; which must nevertheless be maintained to absorb the full rated capacity of installed systems. This is an inefficient use of valuable transmission assets.

This situation is exacerbated in the attainment of Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) wherein the fastest growing segments of the generation capacity market are often the most intermittent.

ARES facilities promote the growth of renewable energy by stabilizing its input into the grid.

The chart below indicates the situation in the California ISO marketplace wherein the fastest growing segments of California’s generation portfolio are the most intermittent in nature.