Energy Storage
Otoro Energy is developing a megawatt-scale flow battery system to provide long duration energy storage (LDES), which is necessary for integrating renewables and strengthening the electric grid.
Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)
Energy Storage Use
Global and domestic demand for electricity is increasing, and energy storage systems are needed to provide reliable power, especially as the supply shifts to intermittent renewables such as wind and solar.
Beyond supply and demand imbalances, the electric transmission and distribution system requires massive infrastructure buildout to account for changes in the location of wind/solar power sources and to accommodate two-way power flows from net metering, where homes and businesses with solar power can become both users and producers of electricity, depending on the time of day.
What is LDES?
Long duration energy storage (LDES) refers to anything that can supply electricity at full power for 10 hours or longer. These long discharge durations are required to provide reliable renewable electricity whenever the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow.
The US Department of Energy has a LDES "Energy EarthShot" goal of reducing storage costs by 90% by 2030.
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For more information on LDES visit these sites:
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Why is LDES Important?
Renewables Integration
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Long duration energy storage is essential for the success of a decarbonized, renewable energy based electrical grid.
Grid Resiliency
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Because renewable energy is intermittent and not produced on demand, power from renewables will exceed or fall below grid demand. Using LDES, renewable energy can be stored during periods of excess and supplied back to the grid when required.
Transmission Infrastructure Deferral
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Electric power often needs to be transmitted long distances, which is both expensive to build and challenging to maintain safely. LDES can provide power without having to massively build out transmission infrastructure.
