Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2015, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (2): 153-157.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4239.2015.02.005

• Research &development • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Current application situation and development prospect of physical energy storage technologies

ZHANG Jing, LI Daixin   

  1. China Energy Storage Alliance,Beijing 100022,China
  • Received:2014-11-20 Online:2015-04-19 Published:2015-04-19

Abstract: As a critical technology for renewable integration, energy storage development is driven by growth in renewable energy sources. With long development history, physical energy storage methods have successfully achieved commercial operations. As a representative technology of physical storage, pumped hydro accounts for the majority of market size, and is a key generation resource for grid side. However, pumped hydro storage, in addition to compressed air energy storage (CAES), is highly restrained by geographical conditions and environmental requirements. Physical storage technology is experiencing reforms among both traditional and new application models as well as R&D for new technologies. Although pumped hydro, CAES and flywheels are based on different operational principles, their applications, development trends, technological breakthroughs, policy aspects and funding support are all key drivers for the their future developments.

Key words: physical energy storage, compressed air energy storage (CAES), pumped hydro storage, flywheel

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