How Long Can Countries Run on Energy Storage?

As countries move towards more intermittent sources power like wind and solar there is a greater need for energy storage, especially without grid-scale hydropower dams, nuclear, coal or natural gas.

During the night, in cloudy times, or when the winds aren’t blowing, electricity stored in energy storage will required to run communities, hospitals and businesses.

Current energy storage could not backstop wind and solar power alone. Without baseload power supplied by coal, hydropower, natural gas or nuclear, energy storage will need to be one of the largest investments in the energy transition.

Sources:

https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en//-/media/files/insight/publications/2022/01/battery-storage-a-global-enabler-of-the-energy-transition.pdf

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-government-says-pumped-hydro-power-capacity-grow-14-gw-2030#:~:text=There%20currently%20are%2026%20pumped,stations%20abroad%2C%20the%20government%20added.

https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2021/06/03/10648050/lack-of-incentives-to-hinder-german-battery-storage-sector/

https://ieefa.org/articles/spanish-government-approves-strategy-double-energy-storage-capacity-2030

https://www.eia.gov/analysis/studies/electricity/batterystorage/pdf/battery_storage_2021.pdf