Grid-Scale Storage — Large systems providing capacity, frequency regulation, and backup to utilities.

Grid-scale storage refers to large-scale energy storage systems, typically with a capacity of several megawatts or more, that are connected directly to the electrical grid. These systems are a critical component of the modern energy infrastructure, providing the flexibility and reliability needed to manage a power system that is increasingly reliant on intermittent renewable energy sources.

How It Works
Grid-scale storage acts as a giant battery for the power system. It charges during periods of low demand and high generation (e.g., a sunny afternoon with low electricity use) and discharges during periods of high demand and low generation (e.g., a cloudy evening when solar power is no longer available). This helps to balance the grid and ensures that electricity is available whenever it is needed.

Key Applications
Grid-scale storage provides a variety of essential services to the power system:

Time-Shifting: It can store excess energy from renewable sources and release it back into the grid at a later time. This is a crucial solution for the intermittency challenge of solar and wind power.

Frequency Regulation: It can inject or absorb power from the grid in a matter of milliseconds to help stabilize the grid's frequency, which is a key indicator of its health.

Peak Shaving: It can provide a large burst of power to meet a short period of high demand, reducing the need to turn on expensive and inefficient peaker plants.

As the US transitions to a cleaner energy mix, grid-scale storage will become an even more indispensable part of the energy infrastructure, providing the flexibility and reliability needed to power the future.