Key technological trends in energy storage

The energy storage industry is experiencing significant growth, evident through news updates, research findings, and event participation. Battery energy storage is increasingly vital for numerous markets and industries. Below, we outline the trends expected to shape the energy storage industry in the forthcoming years.

It’s crucial to note that certain key technological trends could influence the implementation of energy storage as early as 2022.

The structure of the energy network

Observing the market indicates that the modernization of power grids is gaining increasing significance, which will have implications for the implementation of energy storage.

In the late 1880s, there was a battle for dominance of the electrical grid between AC and DC systems. The winner was alternating current, which is the basis of the power grid, even in the 21st century. However, the situation is changing with the high penetration of power electronic systems in the last decade. A rapid development of DC power systems can be observed, from high voltage (320kV, 500kV, 800kV, 1100kV) to DC distribution systems. Battery energy storage can follow this grid shift.

Andy Lycett, Sungrow’s country director for the UK and Ireland

Among all the trends in energy storage, topics concerning grid modernization appear to be especially significant.

Thermal management

Battery cell thermal management plays a crucial role in the performance and longevity of any energy storage system. Effective temperature management leads to extended service life and improved operational efficiency. Two main cooling technologies are commonly used: air cooling and liquid cooling.

There’s a growing indication that liquid-cooled batteries will start dominating the market in 2022. Liquid cooling ensures more uniform cell temperatures throughout the system while consuming less input energy. This prevents overheating, enhances safety, minimizes degradation, and enables higher performance.

This trend is supported by PV inverter manufacturer Sungrow, which has expanded its presence in the energy storage sector. Sungrow now offers integrated battery energy storage systems (BESS) with its own power conversion system (PCS) technology. In 2021 alone, Sungrow supplied 3 GWh of energy storage globally. Additionally, Sungrow has been recognized as one of the top ten global BESS system integrators in the annual IHS Markit survey for 2021.

Sungrow’s new liquid-cooled ST2752UX battery energy storage system with AC-/DC coupling solution for utility-scale power plants. Source: Sungrow

Trends in energy storage – cell technologies

The advancement of new battery cell technologies suitable for commercial use will drive further acceleration in the adoption of energy storage systems. However, in recent months, there has been a significant surge in raw material costs, including lithium. Unfortunately, this situation has resulted in price increases for energy storage systems.

We expect the next decade to see many innovations in flow batteries and transitions from liquid to solid-state batteries. Which technologies become profitable will depend on raw material costs and the speed with which new concepts can be brought to market.

Andy Lycett

While we enthusiastically discuss the most promising energy storage technologies, it’s important to acknowledge that the costs of individual raw materials play a crucial role in determining which technologies will be adopted. Fluctuations in these prices can serve as significant economic factors for or against the implementation of specific battery cell technologies. At the European Economic Congress, we heard statements reflecting this sentiment, such as:

Their dissemination [energy storage technologies] actually depends on two factors: the costs of their creation and the role that regulations will assign to them.

Wojciech Drożdż, vice-president of the management board for innovation and logistics, ENEA Operator

The importance of recycling battery cells

Designing energy storage systems for easy recycling is imperative, and the industry is undoubtedly committed to achieving this goal. In the forthcoming years, as the adoption of battery energy storage systems accelerates, this trend towards recyclability in energy storage will become increasingly apparent. This focus on recyclability is crucial for environmental sustainability and the preservation of a sustainable ecosystem.

Source: iStock

Numerous research institutions are actively engaged in battery recycling initiatives. They concentrate on methods like “cascading disposal,” which involves utilizing resources sequentially, and “direct dismantling.”

Long-term energy storage

Across various countries, the significance of long-term energy storage is evidently increasing. Energy storage systems with extended operational durations are becoming increasingly essential, following the widespread adoption of photovoltaics and the growing awareness of energy storage topics in society. The market is now demanding long-term energy storage technologies due to their potential benefits, including:

• Saving energy during peak hours.
• Enhancing network utilization to decrease transmission costs.
• Managing peak load demand efficiently to avoid excessive investments in production capacity.

Consequently, these advancements are expected to lower electricity costs and have a positive environmental impact by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Energy storage actually has great potential (…) I see their undoubted advantage in dealing with energy production peaks (…)

Wojciech Drożdż

Indeed, the trends mentioned above represent just a few of the notable developments observed in the market. It’s essential to recognize that this list is not exhaustive, and the energy storage industry is dynamic, with ongoing innovations and trends continually emerging.

Sources:

Three battery energy storage trends for the electrification of everything , PV Magazine

Key technology trends in battery storage 2022-2030: Sungrow Q&A , Energy Storage News

A step into the future. Will energy storage finally enter the Polish market? , My Company Polska