Electro-chemical energy storage technologies for wind energy systems

Abstract: Electrochemical energy storage systems offer significant benefits compared with other types of energy storage when used in conjunction with wind turbines or photovoltaic arrays. Lead–acid batteries have a long history of application in remote area power systems and back–up power applications, but have serious life–cycle limitations when used in daily deep discharge applications. Several alternative secondary battery and flow cell technologies are already being developed and have begun to be implemented in these emerging applications. This chapter reviews the main electrochemical energy storage technologies currently under development and field testing and assesses their advantages and drawbacks for different applications.