Energy storage systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions primarily by enhancing the integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are variable by nature. By storing excess renewable energy during periods of low demand or high generation, storage ensures this clean energy can be dispatched during peak demand, displacing fossil fuel-based generation.
Key mechanisms include:
- Optimizing renewable output: Storage enables renewables to operate more consistently, reducing reliance on fossil fuel “peaker” plants during high-demand periods.
- Reducing curtailment: Excess renewable energy that would otherwise be wasted is stored and utilized later, improving overall system efficiency.
- Market price signals: By charging during low-emission periods (e.g., midday solar peaks) and discharging during high-emission peak hours, storage can lower grid-wide emissions.
However, the emissions impact depends on operational strategies and grid mix. For example, if storage charges from coal-fired plants during low-renewable periods, it may inadvertently increase emissions. New tools, like NREL’s hydropower emissions estimator and WattTime’s marginal emissions tracking, help operators align storage dispatch with cleaner energy sources.
A Texas case study showed 1,540 MW of storage could reduce emissions by ~97,020 tCO₂ annually, scaling to ~2.4 million tCO₂ with 38.2 GW of planned projects. Conversely, in grids with high coal reliance, storage might temporarily boost coal use over gas due to cheaper coal energy, highlighting the need for policy and software tools to guide low-carbon charging.
Critical factor
Effective emissions reduction requires coupling storage with renewable growth and intelligent dispatch systems that prioritize clean energy sources.
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