Which technologies convert electrical energy to storable energy?

These technologies convert electrical energy to various forms of storable energy. For mechanical storage, we focus on flywheels, pumped hydro, and compressed air energy storage (CAES). Thermal storage refers to molten salt technology. Chemical storage technologies include supercapacitors, batteries, and hydrogen.

Is energy storage a profitable business model?

Although academic analysis finds that business models for energy storage are largely unprofitable, annual deployment of storage capacity is globally on the rise (IEA, 2020). One reason may be generous subsidy support and non-financial drivers like a first-mover advantage (Wood Mackenzie, 2019).

Which energy technologies are the most profitable?

The most examined technologies are again CAES (27 profitability estimates), batteries (25), and pumped hydro (10). Recent deployments of storage capacity confirm the trend for improved investment conditions (U.S. Department of Energy, 2020).

Do investors underestimate the value of energy storage?

While energy storage is already being deployed to support grids across major power markets, new McKinsey analysis suggests investors often underestimate the value of energy storage in their business cases.

Is a set of commercially available technologies sufficient to perform all business models?

Our review shows that a set of commercially available technologies is sufficient to perform all identified business models. We also find that matches appear to have approached a tipping point toward profitability. Yet, this conclusion only holds for matches that either have been examined since 2017 or entail multiple business models.

How can energy storage be profitable?

Where a profitable application of energy storage requires saving of costs or deferral of investments, direct mechanisms, such as subsidies and rebates, will be effective. For applications dependent on price arbitrage, the existence and access to variable market prices are essential.