Benefits
Energy storage is a vital technology for meeting global climate goals. It allows clean energy sources to continue operating uninhibited during times of high demand or low supply; and assists power systems in remaining balanced on multiple time scales (seconds or minutes).
Fast response (ramping) ESSs provide valuable services that help maintain electric grid frequency on an instantaneous basis, greatly improving power quality and reliability. They may also boost renewable energy generation by storing intermittent solar or wind generation for smoothing purposes.
Consumers of commercial and residential electricity can utilize ESSs to save money by lowering their electricity demand during peak pricing periods, taking part in utility demand-side management programs. EIA accounts for these secondary generators by reporting net electricity generation rather than gross generation figures for an ESS charge/discharge cycle.