Energiarvarastointijärjestelmä

Energiarvarastointijärjestelmä, or energy storage system in English, refers to a technology or a set of technologies designed to capture energy produced at one time for use at a later time. These systems are crucial for managing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, enabling grid stability and reliability.

The primary function of an energy storage system is to store electrical energy when it is abundant and inexpensive, typically when renewable generation is high or demand is low, and then discharge it when demand is high or renewable generation is insufficient. This balancing act helps to prevent grid overload and outages, and can also reduce the need for fossil fuel-based peaker plants.

There are various types of energy storage systems, each with its own advantages and applications. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are one of the most common, utilizing electrochemical reactions to store and release energy. Other technologies include pumped hydro storage, which uses gravity to store energy by pumping water to a higher reservoir, and thermal energy storage, which stores heat or cold. Flywheel energy storage, compressed air energy storage (CAES), and hydrogen storage are also recognized methods.

The deployment of energy storage systems is growing rapidly worldwide as societies aim to decarbonize their energy sectors and increase the resilience of their power grids. They play a vital role in modernizing the electricity infrastructure, supporting the integration of distributed energy resources, and facilitating the transition to a sustainable energy future.