What are the different types of energy storage policy?

Approximately 16 states have adopted some form of energy storage policy, which broadly fall into the following categories: procurement targets, regulatory adaption, demonstration programs, financial incentives, and consumer protections. Below we give an overview of each of these energy storage policy categories.

What are energy storage policy tools?

In general, policies are designed to establish boundaries and provide regulatory guidelines. According to the Energy Storage Association (ESA), the policy tools fall under three categories which are value, access and competition .

Which countries are developing battery storage capacity for grid stability?

In South Africa, the national utility company, Eskom is developing its battery storage capacity for grid stability. The Central African Republic and Gambia are also considering battery storage for grid stability . ESS policies will create an avenue for the use of ESS in the grid for power stability in emerging economies.

How do ESS policies promote energy storage?

ESS policies mostly promote energy storage by providing incentives, soft loans, targets and a level playing field. Nevertheless, a relatively small number of countries around the world have implemented the ESS policies.

What is a storage policy?

All of the states with a storage policy in place have a renewable portfolio standard or a nonbinding renewable energy goal. Regulatory changes can broaden competitive access to storage such as by updating resource planning requirements or permitting storage through rate proceedings.

Why do we need energy storage systems?

The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has catalysed the rapid growth of renewable energy worldwide. However, the intermittent nature of renewable energy requires the support of energy storage systems (ESS) to provide ancillary services and save excess energy for use at a later time.