The value of long-duration energy storage under various grid conditions in a zero-emissions future

Staadecker, Martin; Szinai, Julia; Sánchez-Pérez, Pedro A.; Kurtz, Sarah; Hidalgo-Gonzalez, Patricia

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-53274-6

The value of long-duration energy storage under various grid conditions in a zero-emissions future

Journal Article · Sun Nov 03 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Nature Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53274-6· OSTI ID:2587220

^[1]; ^[2]; Sánchez-Pérez, Pedro A. ^[3]; Kurtz, Sarah ^[4]; ^[5]

Univ. of California, San Diego, CA (United States); Univ. of Toronto, ON (Canada)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Univ. of California, Merced, CA (United States)
Univ. of California, San Diego, CA (United States)

Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is a key resource in enabling zero-emissions electricity grids but its role within different types of grids is not well understood. Using the Switch capacity expansion model, we model a zero-emissions Western Interconnect with high geographical resolution to understand the value of LDES under 39 scenarios with different generation mixes, transmission expansion, storage costs, and storage mandates. We find that a) LDES is particularly valuable in majority wind-powered regions and regions with diminishing hydropower generation, b) seasonal operation of storage becomes cost-effective if storage capital costs fall below US$$\$$$$5 kWh⁻¹, and c) mandating the installation of enough LDES to enable year-long storage cycles would reduce electricity prices during times of high demand by over 70%. Given the asset and resource diversity of the Western Interconnect, our results can provide grid planners in many regions with guidance on how LDES impacts and is impacted by energy storage mandates, investments in LDES research and development, and generation mix and transmission expansion decisions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: California Energy Commission (CEC); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2587220

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--6A40-96854

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 15; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Springer Science and Business Media LLCCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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The value of long-duration energy storage under various grid conditions in a zero-emissions future

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