Dive Brief:
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Hybrid energy storage systems are set to jump to 2.1 GW of installations over the next 10 years, according to a new report from Navigant Research.
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Navigant defines “hybrid” as a system that combines two or more storage technologies with complementary operating characteristics.
- The report cautions, however, that finding the right software and controls to integrate different storage technologies can be a complex task.
Dive Insight:
There are currently only about 78.6 MW of hybrid storage systems installed. But new pairings of storage devices are being deployed to take advantage of the characteristics of different technologies from the same installation.
But the report cites recent installations like a flywheel-plus-battery system in the U.K. and a lead acid battery-ultracapacitor project in Ireland
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used to respond to changes in power grid output with quick response and high intensity power for short times, but may not be suited for storing solar power for longer durations where a flow battery would do well.
The authors of the report looked at battery-battery systems, battery-capacitor systems and other hybrids that combine batteries with one other technology. They expect battery-battery and battery-capacitor systems to be the clear market leaders, with some solutions already available on the market and commercially viable. Those two combinations alone could account for 1.6 GW of the hybrid storage market by 2026, they said.
Hybrid energy storage systems “have the potential to change the energy storage landscape and give customers better options to service their needs," the report says.