Evaluating energy storage technologies for wind power integration

In this paper we perform a cost analysis of different types of energy storage technologies. We evaluate eleven storage technologies, including lead-acid, sodium-sulfur, nickel-cadmium, and lithium-ion batteries, superconducting magnetic energy storage, electrochemical capacitors, flywheels, flow batteries, pumped hydro and compressed air energy storage systems. We perform economic analysis for key applications associated with a wind farm integrated into the electric grid, including load shifting, frequency support, and power quality. We identify the key characteristics that affect the economic viability for these technologies, perform sensitivity analyses based on key performance criteria and find improvement areas that could make them more competitive in the near future. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.