Is solar energy the cheapest and fastest-to-build option?

Many utilities have embraced gas, or promoted restarting closed coal or nuclear plants, but that overlooks the cheapest and fastest-to-build option – solar energy combined with battery storage, also known as solar-plus storage.

How much does energy storage cost?

Chiang, professor of energy studies Jessika Trancik, and others have determined that energy storage would have to cost roughly US $20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the grid to be 100 percent powered by a wind-solar mix. Their analysis is published in Joule. That’s an intimidating stretch for lithium-ion batteries, which dipped to $175/kWh in 2018.

How much does a battery cost?

There are other battery technologies to keep an eye on. High-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries cost $500/kWh, but with more development, their costs could fall by up to 75 percent by 2030, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Are lithium-ion batteries a viable storage solution?

Plenty of lithium-ion alternatives are being actively piloted for their viability, technologies ranging from Natron’s sodium-ion battery to EnerVenue’s metal-hydrogen vessel; from gravity storage to IceBricks, it seems like there’s a storage solution for any situation.

Are lithium-ion batteries the future of energy storage?

Lithium-ion batteries are within reach of the $150/kWh target, and their share in the utility-scale energy storage is growing. Yet they face materials scarcity challenges exacerbated by a rising electric car market.

Are lithium-ion batteries still economical?

Lithium-ion batteries are still the most economical solution for most situations, even without considering their trend downward pricing trend, but it takes a village, as they say- and ours should be doing all it can to ensure storage stays an economical solution for the foreseeable future.