Energy storage may be a key tool to integrate renewable resources into the
electricity grid.
Some electricity resources, such as nuclear or coal-burning facilities,
produce energy on-demand.
Renewable resources, such as wind and solar power, are not always available to match demand,
since the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine. Storing
energy, like in a battery, can help us capture renewable energy to be used
when it's needed (even solar power in the middle of the night). Not only can
smart storage solutions help us increase the use of renewable electricity,
it can also improve the resiliency of the power grid.
In 2015, ODOE secured financial and programmatic support from
Sandia National Laboratories
for an energy storage pilot project at the
Eugene Water & Electric Board. ODOE provided technical expertise and support to EWEB for their project
demonstrating energy storage and "microgrid" technology. The project helps
Oregon better understand different storage technologies to improve system
resilience and strengthen long-term grid resiliency.
ODOE also worked with the
Oregon Public Utility Commission to develop evaluation criteria for electrical storage systems: