Energy storage ‘needs to last longer as heatwaves and data centres strain infrastructure’
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Grid operators are facing strain on infrastructure due to frequent and prolonged heatwaves, as well as the growth of data centres. Current battery energy storage systems (BESS) may not be equipped to handle the strain, with most deployed grid batteries offering 1-hour to 4-hour duration. Experts, such as Dr Thomas Sisto, co-founder and CEO of flow battery developer XL Batteries, argue that longer-duration energy storage (LDES) is necessary to combat grid strain. This includes addressing the impending retirement of gas plants and fossil fuel infrastructure, which will need to be replaced or transitioned to renewables backed by LDES.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The strain on grid infrastructure poses a significant challenge to the transition to renewable energy, as it requires a massive amount of change in terms of the consistency of power generation.
- · The growth of data centres further exacerbates the issue, with some projections showing that data centre energy consumption could double or triple by 2028.