Overview of energy storage applications

Sandia National Laboratories has been studying energy storage systems since the late 1970s. Sandia´s role, as a Department of Energy funded program, is to look ahead at emerging technologies, perform early R&D and identify applications for energy storage systems that offer significant benefit to the nation´s electricity providers and users. In order to identify applications of energy storage, a two-phase Opportunities Analysis was conceptualized in FY94. The group of industry experts participating in the study reviewed the requirements for each of the applications identified in Phase I, modified application names, and combined some applications to better reflect the nature of the electricity industry today. Participants of the Phase II analysis used the perceived need for the application across the nation, and the potential technical and economic benefits for utilities as criteria to evaluate the applications