Visiongain’s new report, Next-Generation Energy Storage Technologies (EST) Market Prospects 2016, indicates that liquid air energy storage, adiabatic compressed air energy storage and lithium sulphur battery chemistries can all be expected to reach commercialisation by 2020. A range of other next-generation technologies are expected to see broader uptake by the end of the decade, such as fuel cells, power-to-gas systems and innovative pumped hydro storage (PHS). Others, such as superconducting magnetic energy storage, will likely see important technological improvements over this timeframe. The rise of emerging ESTs will therefore have important consequences for the dynamics of the broader energy storage market.

The lead analyst of the report said: “Energy storage is in the midst of a period of unprecedented growth and innovation. While the market has traditionally been dominated by a handful of mature technologies (e.g. pumped hydro storage), the last ten years have seen the emergence and development of new technologies, catering to an increasingly diverse set of applications. While many challenges to the successful development and deployment of new technologies remain, on a global level the conditions for energy storage are very favourable. The increasing share of renewables in power generation, far-reaching decarbonisation targets, growing deployment of smart grids and demand response, interest in alternative fuels and the electrification of the transport sector, as well as broader pursuit of electrification, energy security and energy efficiency, all contribute to making ESTs more integral for regulators, operators and end-users alike. In light of the growing importance of ESTs and the limitations of existing technologies, the sector is expected to continue experiencing high levels of innovation as attempts are made to develop safer, more efficient and more cost effective technologies.

“The next ten years will see continued innovation, performance improvements and learning-curve cost reductions from a range of ESTs which will help to increase their appeal in an already favourable environment. Factors such as regulatory support, the level of funding for RD&D, industry acceptance and the status and remuneration of energy storage assets will remain crucial to the successful development and deployment of next-generation ESTs, but on the whole the market has a very strong outlook.”

The 209 page report contains 131 tables, charts and graphs that add visual analysis in order to illustrate the emerging energy storage technologies market. Insight into the stage of development of different technologies is provided, along with forecasts on how technologies are expected to progress through RD&D onto commercialisation. The report analyses and outlines the performance characteristics of key emerging and established technologies, discusses their key applications and competitors and provides an assessment of their outlook. The key patterns of innovation in the market are highlighted and presented alongside an assessment of the nature of the innovation involved in the development of each emerging technology. Visiongain provides capacity forecasts for innovative pumped hydro installations and a detailed forecast of how adiabatic compressed air energy storage and liquid air energy storage are expected to progress through the demonstration stage and onto broad commercialisation. The drivers and restraints of every technology are analysed and presented along with an assessment of the technology’s current deployment and/or information on key pilot and demonstration projects.

The global landscape chapter offers insight into the involvement of different regional markets in the development and deployment of emerging energy storage technologies and into the opportunities and obstacles for the market in these regional spaces. The report also includes a chapter dedicated solely to the comparison of the characteristics, challenges, performance and applications of key emerging and established energy storage technologies.

A transcript of exclusive interviews with Paul DiRenzo, Jr. from Peak Hour Power, Giw Zanganeh from Airlight Energy, Gareth Brett from Highview Power and Philippe Bouchard from EoS Energy Storage are also included.

The Next Generation Energy Storage Technologies (EST) Market Prospects 2016: Analysis of Technology Maturity, Performance & Commercialisation of Mechanical (Innovative PHS, AA-CAES, Isothermal CAES & LAES), Chemical (Hydrogen Storage & Fuel Cells), Electrical (SMES) & Electrochemical (Lithium-Air, Lithium-Sulphur, Magnesium-Ion & Zinc-Air Batteries) report will be of value to technology developers interested in changing market dynamics and the performance benchmarks for different types of technologies, but also to existing and potential stakeholders and investors in the EST industry. It will be useful for anyone seeking an understanding of the range of technologies currently under development or at early stages of commercial deployment, their advantages and limitations, their place in the market and overall outlook. The report provides a one-stop overview of the range of applications of energy storage technologies, of the main drivers of innovation in the sector and of the suitability of established and emerging technologies for these applications.

Notes for Editors
If you are interested in a more detailed overview of this report, please send an e-mail to sara.peerun@visiongainglobal.com or call her on +44 (0) 207 336 6100

About Visiongain
Visiongain is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative independent media companies in Europe. Based in London, UK, visiongain produces a host of business-to-business conferences, newsletters, management reports and e-zines focusing on the energy, telecoms, pharmaceutical, defence and materials sectors.

Visiongain publishes reports produced by its in-house analysts, who are qualified experts in their field. Visiongain has firmly established itself as the first port of call for the business professional who needs independent, high-quality, original material to rely and depend upon.