As society moves away from fossil fuels we will become increasingly dependent on renewable energy, but because clean energy sources are not always reliable or stable, this requires a shift in how electricity is produced. Where right now, it is created at the same moment as it is consumed, we need a way to build a surplus of energy to be used later - we need energy storage. But energy storage isn’t a new concept; batteries have been available for a long time. So why do we need new technologies for the energy grid of the future? The answer is the difference between short and long-duration storage.
Historically, the energy grid has been in need of short-duration storage solutions to provide power with a fast response time, in order to cover interruptions of under a second, up to a few hours. Some of the technologies that provide short-duration energy storage are:
- Super or Ultra-Capacitors
- Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)
- Rechargeable Batteries (such as Lead or Lithium Ion Batteries)
- Flywheel Energy Storage
The issue with short-duration storage comes when you add renewable energy sources to the mix. Short-duration storage can usually provide energy at full capacity for a maximum of 4-6 hours, and as the mix of renewable energy in the system increases there is a need for storage solutions that can provide energy for 8-18 hours or longer. This is called long-duration energy storage (LDES).
LDES solutions deliver electricity for longer periods of time, closing the full day cycle when combined with renewable energy. Short-duration solutions can cover shorter interruptions while LDES systems start delivering energy, and both forms complement one another in hybrid systems or microgrids. An important aspect is that the solutions are affordable enough to be scaled.
Azelio’s TES.POD LDES solution is available for global deployment and offers flexibility and control. If you can store renewable energy for a long time - even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing - you can absorb and manage fluctuations in supply and demand, dispatching renewable energy whenever and wherever it’s needed. That’s the key to making clean energy cost-efficient and reliable.
Read more on our website, and feel free to ask questions in the comments section! 
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140 w
Thank you very much for the article formats
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151 w
Thank you for sharing this article, it's great to learn about the difference between these two methods
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151 w
very interesting, thank you for sharing