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A simple introduction to the economics of storage: shifting demand and supply over time and space

Author

Listed:
  • David Newbery

    (Imperial College London and EPRG, Cambridge)

Abstract

The literature on electrical energy storage (EES) is technical and complex which this paper aims to simplify. It quantifies the current scale, costs and value of different types of EES and compares them to peaking generators and interconnectors. Worldwide, dams have 2,700 times the storage capacity of pumped storage, which accounts for 99% of conventional EES, batteries making up the rest. Indirect use of hydro power, and in future, electric vehicles, adds to their value and if accessible at reasonable cost, would be cheaper than conventional EES. EES, peakers and DC interconnectors can offer flexibility services which considerably enhance their value, but hopes of a battery revolution enabling a smarter electricity system should not be exaggerated.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • David Newbery, 2016. "A simple introduction to the economics of storage: shifting demand and supply over time and space," Working Papers EPRG 1626, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:enp:wpaper:eprg1626
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. MacIver, Callum & Bukhsh, Waqquas & Bell, Keith R.W., 2021. "The impact of interconnectors on the GB electricity sector and European carbon emissions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    2. Kendall Mongird & Vilayanur Viswanathan & Patrick Balducci & Jan Alam & Vanshika Fotedar & Vladimir Koritarov & Boualem Hadjerioua, 2020. "An Evaluation of Energy Storage Cost and Performance Characteristics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-53, June.
    3. Newbery, David, 2018. "Evaluating the case for supporting renewable electricity," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 684-696.
    4. Karim L. Anaya & Michael G. Pollitt, 2018. "Storage Business Models: Lessons for Electricity from Natural Gas, Cloud Data and Frozen Food," Working Papers EPRG 1804, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    5. Jan Abrell & Sebastian Rausch & Clemens Streitberger, 2022. "The Economic and Climate Value of Flexibility in Green Energy Markets," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 83(2), pages 289-312, October.
    6. Greve, Thomas & Teng, Fei & Pollitt, Michael G. & Strbac, Goran, 2018. "A system operator’s utility function for the frequency response market," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 562-569.
    7. Newbery, David & Pollitt, Michael G. & Ritz, Robert A. & Strielkowski, Wadim, 2018. "Market design for a high-renewables European electricity system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 695-707.
    8. Irena Milstein & Asher Tishler & Chi-Keung Woo, 2024. "Carbon-free Electricity Supply in a Cournot Wholesale Market: Israel," The Energy Journal, , vol. 45(2), pages 1-21, March.
    9. Tor Håkon Jackson Inderberg, 2020. "Centrally Decentralising? Analysing Key Policies and Pathways in Norway’s Electricity Transitions," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(3), pages 173-184.
    10. Xin Li & Konstantinos J. Chalvatzis & Phedeas Stephanides, 2018. "Innovative Energy Islands: Life-Cycle Cost-Benefit Analysis for Battery Energy Storage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-19, September.
    11. Abrell, Jan & Rausch, Sebastian & Streitberger, Clemens, 2019. "Buffering volatility: Storage investments and technology-specific renewable energy support," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(S1).
    12. Milstein, I. & Tishler, A. & Woo, C.K., 2025. "Modeling the effects of photovoltaic technology, battery storage, and electric vehicles on Israel's electricity market from 2030 to 2050," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    13. Tor Håkon Jackson Inderberg, 2020. "Centrally Decentralising? Analysing Key Policies and Pathways in Norway’s Electricity Transitions," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(3), pages 173-184.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices

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