Bulk energy storage potential in the USA, current developments and future prospects

Stored energy can provide electricity during periods of high demand, as currently demonstrated with bulk storage systems such as pumped hydro storage (PHS), which accounts for only 2.5% of the current installed base load in the USA. Sites for future developments have become less available, and environmental siting issues, as well as high costs have stopped further prospects. This paper looks at the potential beyond PHS, with bulk storage systems such as compressed air energy storage (CAES) flow-batteries and 1 MW flywheel systems that can provide system stability/support at the grid, substations and distributed level. Current developments in bulk energy storage will be reviewed as well as some storage project developments incorporating wind energy and the impact on base-loaded coal and natural gas fired GT combined cycle plants. The large potential and the economic benefits for energy storage in the US will be examined.