How do energy storage systems work?

Energy storage systems let you capture heat or electricity when it’s readily available,. This kind of readily available energy is typically renewable energy. By storing it to use later, you make more use of renewable energy sources and are less reliant on fossil fuels. Let’s look at how they work and what the different types of energy storage are.

How do you store energy?

You can store electricity in electrical batteries, or convert it into heat and stored in a heat battery. You can also store heat in thermal storage, such as a hot water cylinder. Energy storage can be useful if you already generate your own renewable energy, as it lets you use more of your low carbon energy.

Why is energy storage important?

Energy storage can be useful if you already generate your own renewable energy, as it lets you use more of your low carbon energy. It reduces wasted energy and is more cost effective than exporting excess electricity. For example, you can store electricity generated during the day by solar panels in an electric battery.

Can energy storage save you money?

If you have a renewable electricity generator like solar panels or a wind turbine, installing energy storage will save you money on your electricity bills. You need to weigh the potential savings against the cost of installation and how long the battery will last.

Do heat storage batteries degrade?

Heat storage batteries don’t degrade in the same way as electrical batteries, so should have a longer lifespan. Excess electricity generated can be used later, or elsewhere in your home. This reduces the amount of energy that’s wasted.