The United States of Storage: Federal and State Collaboration on Electric Energy Storage Projects

摘要

AS A CONCEPT, ENERGY STORAGE HAS IMMEDIATE APPEAL IT transfers energy through time, from generation to consumption, just as energy transmission transfers energy from one place to another. Indeed, in the early days of electricity, the Leyden jar and Volta's columnar apparatus were very much cutting-edge technology. However, after the invention of the dynamo, ac generation, and the spectacular spread of continental electric grids, the storage of electricity became relatively unimportant-with one exception, The lead-acid battery became an essential ingredient of the automobile. Due to large production volume, this battery has become relatively inexpensive and fairly reliable. More recently, energy storage has also become a critical component of electronic equipment such as portable computers and mobile phones. In this market, where cost is less important, the need for greater energy density, zero maintenance, and long cycle life has allowed advanced batteries such as lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel-metal-hydride batteries to find wide application.