Tying energy storage into a modern grid

April 9, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

The Electricity Storage Association (ESA) has solidified its commitment to increasing the commercial deployment of electricity storage into the grid with a formal announcement.

"… we believe 2013 is poised to be a banner year for electricity storage. Fortunately, our mission is no longer just concerned with establishing the science behind electricity storage -- that's been proven. Rather, we've seen a dramatic increase in interest across the country -- especially the California Public Utilities Commission decisions -- to use energy storage to make our electric grid more reliable and cost effective," said Brad Roberts, executive director of ESA.

"This is a trend we plan to build upon over the coming months. It's been encouraging to see that lawmakers, regulators and utilities alike are responding to the value and versatility of energy storage, as well as the grid stability and economic security that the technology provides," Roberts said.

According to the ESA, energy storage is the key to a resilient, efficient, clean and cost‐effective grid and every opportunity must be taken to fully integrate storage to reduce outages and avoid overspending to modernize the grid. Further, investing in energy storage will ensure economic security, foster innovation, and create sustainable jobs, and must be carefully considered by electric utilities, system operators, regulators, policy makers and other electricity providers and customers as part of the transition to a true 21st Century grid.

California recently became the first state to require a utility to use energy storage systems as capacity for the electric grid.

For more:
- see this release

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/tying-energy-storage-modern-grid/2013-04-09