Possibilities of energy storage in residential photovoltaic installations - Overview

Abstract

World widely, efforts of governments and industry focus on the global sustainability. Facing global warming and rapidly growing electricity demand, it is crucial to develop technologies that will allow humanity use planet resources in the most efficient way, which is possible. Energy storage systems are vast and common concepts nowadays, concerning also small residential energy systems with renewable energy sources like photovoltaic installations. This paper describes different so-lutions for this issue. Characteristics of mentioned methods include basic features and values, advantages and disadvantages, estimated investing (CAPEX) and operating (OPEX) costs for the investors and issues related with environment like effi-ciency and emissions. As researched in the document, current technologies base on well-known solutions implemented in residential installations but also there is also possibility to develop new methods and combine few of them to use any possible energy surplus, later when it is needed the most. Description of various energy storage system includes both technical and commercial aspects. As most of storage applications differ from each other, choosing proper energy storage system implies economic and environmental benefits. The review has provided sufficient information to conclude that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to store electricity. Suitable solution should be selected based on size of the installation, geographical condi-tions as well as economic possibilities. For examined energy storage systems there is still necessity of further research and development but overview of those presented in the article, makes it possible to deduce comparison and conclusion.