Utility-scale energy storage is beginning to receive more attention from venture capitalists and government funding sources, according to a New York Times special report.
Pumped hydroelectric, air compression, flywheels and very large batteries are the primary technologies that are now critical to integrating renewable energy into the U.S. electric grid and smoothing the operations of emerging smart grid systems.
Additionally, using stored power to meet peaks in electricity demand means less reliance on dirty, fossil-fuel power plants.
Energy storage systems currently cost about $1,000 per kilowatt-hour, according to Matt Rogers, a senior adviser to the U.S. energy secretary, Steven Chu.
On Wednesday, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a new law requiring state regulators to set targets for energy storage capacity in the state.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is considering new regulations that would allow utilities to recovery costs for energy storage systems.
Read the full story at the link below.
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