Energy Storage in the EU: an Overview of Emerging Technologies and Policies Towards Net-Zero Grids

The increasing penetration of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) like solar and wind in Europe’s electricity sector has highlighted how Energy Storage (ES), and in particular Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES), will have a crucial role in reaching the EU’s decarbonization goals. LDES technologies can provide the flexibility and the stability needed by network operators in the transition from a highly carbon-dependent centralized generation system to a Net-Zero distributed generation power grid. This work explores some of the most promising storage technologies, currently in use or in development, assessing their potential for long duration electricity storage, as well as outline some of the other relevant applications for which ES can be valuable in allowing greater VRE penetration. This work also analyzes which policies and regulations have hindered the deployment of Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) in the EU in the past as compiled in the relevant literature. Lastly, the steps taken so far by EU decision makers towards incentivizing energy storage are reviewed, and the policy gaps yet to be cleared are outlined. The conclusion reached is that, though advancements have been made with regard to behind-the-meter and community storage, double-charging and lack of ownership rules are likely to inhibit deployment at the distribution and utility scale in the future, which would impede VRE penetrations greater than 80%, forcing Europe towards more consistent low-carbon generation, such as nuclear and CCS.