The role of energy storage in the uptake of renewable energy: A model comparison approach

The power sector needs to ensure a rapid transition towards a low-carbon energy system to avoid the dangerous consequences of greenhouse gas emissions. Storage technologies are a promising option to provide the power system with the flexibility required when intermittent renewables are present in th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy policy 2021-04, Vol.151, p.112159, Article 112159
Main Authors: Giarola, Sara, Molar-Cruz, Anahi, Vaillancourt, Kathleen, Bahn, Olivier, Sarmiento, Luis, Hawkes, Adam, Brown, Maxwell
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carbon
Clean energy
Electric energy storage
Electric power systems
Electricity
Electricity generation
Electricity storage
Emissions
Emissions control
Emissions reduction
Energy policy
Energy storage
Energy systems modelling
Environmental tax
Flexibility
Greenhouse gases
Intermittent
Intermittent renewables
Modelling
Power
Public policy
Renewable energy
Resource availability
Storage
Taxation
Technology
Uptake
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Summary:The power sector needs to ensure a rapid transition towards a low-carbon energy system to avoid the dangerous consequences of greenhouse gas emissions. Storage technologies are a promising option to provide the power system with the flexibility required when intermittent renewables are present in the electricity generation mix. This paper focuses on the role of electricity storage in energy systems with high shares of renewable sources. The study encompasses a model comparison approach where four models (GENeSYS-MOD, MUSE, NATEM, and urbs−MX) are used to analyse the storage uptake in North America. The analysis addresses the conditions affecting storage uptake in each country and its dependence on resource availability, technology costs, and public policies. Results show that storage may promote emissions reduction at lower costs when renewable mandates are in place whereas in presence of carbon taxes, renewables may compete with other low-carbon options. The study also highlights the main modelling approach shortcomings in the modelling of electricity storage in integrated assessment models. •The model comparison assesses electricity storage role and its modelling challenges.•Storage enables lower cost transitions including high variable renewables uptakes.•Carbon taxes might promote non-variable rather than variable renewables.•Diversity in storage costs, geographical, and temporal granularity affects outcomes.
ISSN:0301-4215
1873-6777
DOI:10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112159