1、Electrical Grid Load Leveling  

The unbalanced consumer demand for electricity supplied from a power grid at different times and locations forces many power generating units to be inoperable at an optimum demand condition. This imbalance weakens the power generating units’ efficiency.  Energy is then over consumed because of the operation of large number of equipment.   Applying an energy storage system to power grids can balance the grid loads between different times and locations. This will enhance the efficiency of power generating units resulting in improved energy efficiency.  At the same time, this balance can stabilize grid operation.

2、Renewable Resources

In a renewable energy integrated system, electricity storage could be used to “firm up” the delivery of wind energy.  This would increase the value of wind energy by moving wind energy from off-peak to peak pricing periods. Electric storage utilization could also be used to moderate the fluctuations in wind energy thereby stabilizing the grid network. In other words, the applications of electricity storage in wind power vary from storing energy for several hours to correcting the imbalance between predicted wind power generation and actual supplied wind power generation.

3、Capital Deferral

For power generation companies the application of electricity storage as a means of load leveling enables the firm to reduce ramping costs while gaining fuel flexibility and a reduction in investment in increased capacity. Electricity storage systems, especially those with more than 4 hours of discharge capability, can be used as an alternative for a peaking plant, deferring the installation of a standby or peaking generator. Because the electricity storage system can be charged with low cost off peak energy, it can compete with gas turbine engines which run on the higher cost of distillate fuel.

4、Commercial Building Peak Shaving

One of the markets with strong potential is peak shaving in commercial buildings located in major cities. New York’s daily peak shaving ratio can reach 30 times while Shanghai and Beijing’s can reach 5 times. Energy storage shifts large amounts of off-peak power to on-peak hours. By selectively releasing power during periods of high demand, significant price reductions can be achieved for energy storage dedicated buildings.