What are the environmental and social impacts of energy storage and how can they be minimized?

1 Types of energy storage

There are different types of energy storage technologies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common ones are batteries, pumped hydro, compressed air, flywheels, thermal storage, and hydrogen. The choice of energy storage depends on factors such as cost, efficiency, capacity, duration, location, and environmental impact. For example, batteries are versatile and fast, but they can contain toxic or scarce materials and degrade over time. Pumped hydro is cheap and reliable, but it requires large amounts of water and land, and can affect ecosystems and communities.

2 Environmental impacts

Energy storage can have positive and negative environmental impacts, depending on how it is designed, operated, and disposed of. On the positive side, energy storage can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by enabling more renewable energy generation and avoiding fossil fuel use. It can also improve grid stability and resilience, and support the integration of distributed and off-grid renewable energy systems. On the negative side, energy storage can cause land use change, water consumption, noise, waste, and resource depletion. For example, pumped hydro can alter natural habitats and water flows, while batteries can create hazardous waste and use rare earth metals.

3 Social impacts

Energy storage can also have social impacts, both direct and indirect, on the people and communities affected by its development and use. On the positive side, energy storage can create jobs, income, and education opportunities, especially for rural and remote areas that can benefit from renewable energy access and empowerment. It can also enhance energy security, affordability, and reliability, and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports. On the negative side, energy storage can pose health and safety risks, such as fire, explosion, or leakage. It can also cause displacement, resettlement, or conflict, especially if the land rights and interests of local communities are not respected or compensated.

4 Minimizing impacts

The impacts of energy storage can be minimized by applying the principles of sustainability, circularity, and social justice. This means that energy storage should be planned, implemented, and monitored with the participation and consent of the stakeholders involved, especially the affected communities and groups. It also means that energy storage should be optimized for efficiency, durability, and recyclability, and that its environmental and social costs and benefits should be assessed and accounted for. Moreover, it means that energy storage should be aligned with the broader goals and policies of renewable energy transition and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

5 Best practices

In order to reduce the environmental and social impacts of energy storage and enhance its positive outcomes, there are some best practices and guidelines to consider. This includes conducting a comprehensive life cycle assessment of the energy storage technology, applying the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle, promoting the use of renewable energy sources and materials, implementing energy efficiency measures, developing a circular economy approach for the system, and engaging with local communities and stakeholders. All of these practices can help ensure that the energy storage system is designed for reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, or recycling, while avoiding waste generation and disposal.

6 Future outlook

The demand for energy storage is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, as renewable energy sources become more widespread and competitive. This presents both challenges and opportunities for the environmental and social impacts of energy storage, as well as for its innovation and development. The challenges include addressing the technical, economic, regulatory, and institutional barriers that limit the deployment and integration of energy storage, as well as ensuring its sustainability and social acceptability. The opportunities include exploring new and emerging energy storage technologies, such as solid-state batteries, liquid air, or green hydrogen, as well as developing new business models, services, and markets for energy storage, such as virtual power plants, peer-to-peer trading, or community-based initiatives. By adopting a holistic and systemic approach to energy storage, we can harness its potential for renewable energy systems and for a low-carbon and inclusive future.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?