Issues and Perspectives

Deploying energy storage at scale is critical to a cleaner, smarter grid.

Discuss.  

Storage may be the answer, but it also raises a lot of questions.

• Who can own storage?
• Should storage be a separate asset class?
• Is it appropriate for utilities to own it? (And if the answer is yes, under what model and what rate of return?)   
• What's the integrated value of storage? How do I calculate it?
• What types of storage is best for my needs?
• Can it be cost-effective?

On one point though, agreement is clear. Storage in all its forms and applications – bulk, distributed, grid-scale, kinetic, chemical, battery, pumped hydro, CAES, and thermal among them – must be a key part of the energy conversation, firmly in the mix in any discussion about the transition to a cleaner, smarter, more reliable electricity system.  

Not surprisingly, thoughtful questions and discussions are multiplying correspondingly. 

Issues & Perspectives is designed as a clearinghouse of contemporary thought, word and deeds for everything to do with energy storage.