Energy storage helps reduce reliance on peaker plants primarily by providing a cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective alternative to meet peak electricity demand. Peaker plants are typically fossil-fueled power plants that operate only during periods of high electricity demand (“peak” times). They tend to be more expensive to run and less efficient than baseload plants, and they emit higher levels of pollution per megawatt-hour generated.
Energy storage systems, especially battery storage, can store electricity generated from cleaner, renewable sources during periods of low demand and discharge it during peak demand. This capability allows energy storage to effectively replace conventional peaker plants by:
- Delivering power quickly when needed without the emissions associated with fossil fuel combustion.
- Reducing operational costs since batteries have lower marginal costs compared to running peaker plants.
- Enhancing grid reliability and flexibility while supporting cleaner energy integration.
Several utilities and regulatory bodies are actively pursuing energy storage deployment to phase out or reduce fossil-fueled peaker plants. For example, Nevada proposed adding 1,000 MW of energy storage by 2030 specifically to cut peaker plant dependence. Similarly, in Maine, studies show that 4-hour battery storage systems represent the most economic, equitable, and environmentally beneficial replacements for aging peaker plants.
However, hybridizing fossil plants with battery storage (combining existing peaker plants with batteries) can sometimes be counterproductive if it extends the lifespan of polluting plants rather than fully replacing them. Pure battery storage solutions are preferable for maximizing emissions reductions and cost savings.
In summary, energy storage reduces reliance on peaker plants by providing a cleaner, faster, and more economical source of peak power, enabling a transition from expensive, polluting peaker plants to a more sustainable and reliable electricity grid.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-energy-storage-help-reduce-reliance-on-peaker-plants/
