Off-season energy storage

Can seasonal energy storage decarbonize the energy system?

Here we outline the role and potential of seasonal energy storage to decarbonize the energy system. Energy storage is becoming an important element for integrating variable renewable energy towards a decarbonized energy system – traditionally including the electricity sector but also heat and transport through sector-coupling.

What is seasonal energy storage?

The seasonal storage option is the H 2 energy storage (HES). Several conversion technologies are part of the system. The heat pump (HP) provides heat using electricity. In regions with a heat demand of less than 1.5 MWh th /cap, a heating cartridge (HC) is used instead, as a HP would be over-dimensioned in these cases.

Can seasonal energy storage be economically viable?

To accommodate the use of this variable energy throughout the year the grid may benefit from economically viable seasonal energy storage to shift energy from one season to another. Storage of this nature is expected to have output durations from 500 to 1000 hours or more.

Is seasonal storage an opportunity?

There is a transition in trend of storages towards seasonal storage, which is fueled by increased electrification and VRES . Therefore, it is more than necessary to consider seasonal storage not only as an opportunity but also as a need for providing long term sustainable balance in the system.

Can seasonal storage solve the problem of long periods without renewable generation?

Our research shows that seasonal storage provides a possible solution to address the problem of long periods without renewable generation, for example in the Northern European winter,” said Lucy Craig, Director of Technology and Innovation at DNV GL Energy.

Can seasonal storage decarbonize peak power generation?

Therefore, seasonal storage is a possible solution to decarbonize peak power generation when demand is high and variable renewable energy production is low and to make effective use of excess variable renewable energy when generation exceeds demand. The full report can be downloaded at