Worldwide grid-scale battery electricity storage system capacity was 55.7GW in 2023
Energy storage provides the flexibility to supply energy when needed, using various forms such as chemical, kinetic, thermal, and gravitational potential. The choice of storage depends on location and reserve service, as different technologies offer varying capacities and durations. Traditional fuel storage has long been common, but integrating intermittent renewable sources necessitates energy storage for a resilient, low-carbon network. Strategically placed storage can prevent costly network upgrades and enhance grid security through interconnection. Applications range from small-scale systems in homes to utility-scale storage. Examples include lithium-ion batteries, pumped hydroelectric storage, and ice storage tanks. Surplus renewable electricity can produce hydrogen for long-term storage, and electric vehicles can also serve as storage systems. As energy storage becomes crucial for a sustainable future, evaluating technologies for cost, efficiency, material sustainability, and safety is essential.
Read our New Energy World articles on how energy storage fits into strategies for carbon reduction.
View our Energy Essentials Guide to learn more about hydrogen.
New Energy World stories
UK predicts sufficient gas for winter, but transatlantic trade remains vexed
3rd November 2026
Compared with last year, LNG imports are predicted to rise by 5% to 12.3bn m3, which National Gas says is to offset declines from the UK Continental S...
At nearly 11GW capacity, one of the world’s biggest renewable energy parks is expected to nearly triple in size by 2029
3rd November 2026
The Khavda site capacity is up from 7.1GW a year ago. In that time, it added 2,568MW of solar, 666MW of wind, 3,081MWh of battery storage and 321MW of...
China launches offshore wind-to-hydrogen platform
3rd November 2026
According to CIMC Raffles, the ‘Shenhai Hydrogen Energy No. 1’ platform was launched on 13 October in Jiangmen, Guangdong province, and is undergoing ...
Home battery storage could cut India’s rooftop solar grid loads by 85–90%
27th October 2026
Because growth in home solar without local storage creates significant grid challenges, Ember’s findings suggest that targeted financial incentives to...
Global CCS pipeline reaches 832 projects, report finds
27th October 2026
The organisation’s Global Status of CCS 2026 report found that 113 commercial CCS facilities were operational worldwide as of 31 July 2026, with a fur...
Technical guidance publications
EI 3314
Guidance on passive fire protection for process and storage plant and equipment
October 2026
This technical publication provides guidance on the use of passive fire protection (PFP) materials and their application across the life cycle of proc...
EI 3598
Microbiological impact studies relating to the feasibility assessment of hydrogen and carbon dioxide subsurface storage
October 2026
The integrated and responsible use of subsurface technologies can play a crucial role in the global effort to combat climate change and achieve net ze...
EI 3655
Experimental and modelling study of a multicomponent CCUS mixture to validate Equations of State (EoS)
October 2026
EI 3655 Experimental and modelling study of a multicomponent CCUS mixture to validate Equations of State (EoS) presents a comprehensive experimental a...
EI 3633
Soil and groundwater risks at battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle energy retail sites
September 2026
EI 3633 Soil and groundwater risks at battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle energy retail sites examines the potential risks to soil and gro...
EI Standard 1541 Requirements for internal protective coating systems used in aviation fuel handling systems
September 2026
EI 1541 provides performance requirements for protective coating systems that may be used in aviation fuel handling systems (e.g. storage tanks, rail ...