National Photovoltaic Energy Storage Experiment

Is energy storage a viable option for utility-scale solar energy systems?

Energy storage has become an increasingly common component of utility-scale solar energy systems in the United States. Much of NREL's analysis for this market segment focuses on the grid impacts of solar-plus-storage systems, though costs and benefits are also frequently considered.

How does PV generation affect storage capacity?

More PV generation makes peak demand periods shorter and decreases how much energy capacity is needed from storage—thereby increasing the value of storage capacity and effectively decreasing the cost of storage by allowing shorter-duration batteries to be a competitive source of peaking capacity.

Can NREL's capacity expansion model accurately represent diurnal battery energy storage?

For this work, researchers added new capabilities to NREL’s Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) capacity expansion model to accurately represent the value of diurnal battery energy storage when it is allowed to provide grid services—an inherently complex modeling challenge.

How does solar-plus-storage affect energy systems?

Solar-plus-storage shifts some of the solar system's output to evening and night hours and provides other grid benefits. NREL employs a variety of analysis approaches to understand the factors that influence solar-plus-storage deployment and how solar-plus-storage will affect energy systems.

What is the market potential of diurnal energy storage?

The market potential of diurnal energy storage is closely tied to increasing levels of solar PV penetration on the grid. Economic storage deployment is also driven primarily by the ability for storage to provide capacity value and energy time-shifting to the grid.

Why do we need advanced energy storage technologies?

Advanced energy storage technologies that deliver better performance and duration at lower costs are key to creating a cleaner, more reliable, and resilient electric power grid and all the benefits that clean, abundant energy provides to our country, including a decarbonized transportation sector.