Integrating Energy Storage Technologies with Renewable Energy Sources: A Pathway Toward Sustainable Power Grids

The fact that electricity needs to be consumed at the same moment it is generated makes it very complicated to match supply and demand at all times. With the evolution of more and more intermittent renewable energy sources in the system, it has become more challenging to meet demand and supply in real time, hence the demand for energy storage systems to optimize energy costs and ease grid operations. The need for these systems arises because of the intermittency and uncontrollable production of wind, solar, and tidal energy sources. Therefore, a storage system that can store energy produced from renewable energy sources and then convert it into electrical energy when required is highly needed. Modern energy storage technologies play a pivotal role in the storage of energy produced through unconventional methods. This review paper discusses technical details and features of various types of energy storage systems and their capabilities of integration into the power grid. An analysis of various energy storage systems being utilized in the power grid is also presented. A review of a technology would be incomplete without the study of its ramifications for the environment. Therefore, the effect of various energy storage technologies on the environment is also a part of this comprehensive study.