The Role of Energy Storage in Development of Smart Grids

The adoption of Smart Grid devices throughout utility networks will effect tremendous change in grid operations and usage of electricity over the next two decades. The changes in ways to control loads, coupled with increased penetration of renewable energy sources, offer a new set of challenges in balancing consumption and generation. Increased deployment of energy storage devices in the distribution grid will help make this process happen more effectively and improve system performance. This paper addresses the new types of storage being utilized for grid support and the ways they are integrated into the grid.