The role of batteries in meeting the PV terawatt challenge

Peters IM, Breyer C, Jaffer SA, Kurtz S, Reindl T, Sinton R, Vetter M (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Joule Elsevier

Book Volume: 5

Pages Range: 1353-1370

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2021.03.023

Abstract

What role have batteries to play in the transition toward terawatt levels of photovoltaics? In this perspective, we attempt to answer this question by looking at technical, economic, and ecological features of PV-battery systems. We argue that the window of opportunity for batteries lies in the capacities of a few kWh/kWP, the exact amount depending on various factors including battery cost, degradation rate, location, load profile, diversification of renewable energy sources, and interconnections. Using a simple PV plus battery model, we illustrate that such storage capacities efficiently reduce fluctuations in electricity generation, enabling higher PV adoption rates at competitive costs, and with a carbon footprint that is at least five times lower than that of the current energy mixes. Using sensible capacities, batteries are a powerful companion for solar energy, yet technical, economic, and policy innovations are needed to expand adoption. We see longer battery lifetimes and low capacity degradation rates are the most impactful technological parameters. Economic efforts should aim to reduce balance of plant costs and create better market opportunities for stationary storage, whereas policies should provide a strong regulatory framework to facilitate multipurpose usage and sector coupling.

Involved external institutions

Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE) Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) / Lappeenrannan teknillinen yliopisto FI Finland (FI) Hopkinton Total Cooling & Heating US United States (USA) (US) University of California, Merced US United States (USA) (US) National University of Singapore (NUS) SG Singapore (SG) Sinton Instruments US United States (USA) (US) Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme (ISE) / Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Peters, I.M., Breyer, C., Jaffer, S.A., Kurtz, S., Reindl, T., Sinton, R., & Vetter, M. (2021). The role of batteries in meeting the PV terawatt challenge. Joule, 5(6), 1353-1370. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2021.03.023

MLA:

Peters, I. M., et al. "The role of batteries in meeting the PV terawatt challenge." Joule 5.6 (2021): 1353-1370.

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