A glossary of more than 100 key terms used in the energy storage industry
We’ve compiled this glossary of more than 100 terms used in the energy storage industry — here are some of the main concepts to get you started.
The types of energy storage can be categorized based on the technology and the form of energy stored.
Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS): Uses gravitational potential energy by pumping water to a higher elevation during low demand and releasing it through turbines during high demand.
Flywheel Energy Storage: Uses rotational kinetic energy by spinning a flywheel at high speeds.
Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES): Compresses air to store energy and releases it to generate electricity.
Gravity Energy Storage: Uses weights lifted by cranes or other systems to store energy and releases it by lowering the weights.
Electrochemical Energy Storage
Lead-Acid Batteries: Common rechargeable batteries used in various applications.
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Widely used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and grid storage due to high energy density and efficiency.
Nickel-Cadmium Batteries: Used in industrial applications and emergency lighting.
Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries: Commonly used in hybrid vehicles.
Flow Batteries: Includes vanadium redox and zinc-bromine batteries, where energy is stored in liquid electrolytes.
Solid-State Batteries: Uses solid electrolytes instead of liquid, promising higher energy density and safety.
Sensible Heat Storage: Stores energy by heating or cooling a material, such as water or molten salts.
Latent Heat Storage: Uses phase change materials (PCMs) to store and release energy during the material’s phase transition (e.g., melting and freezing).
Thermochemical Storage: Stores energy through reversible chemical reactions.
Supercapacitors: Store energy in electric fields and offer rapid charging and discharging capabilities.
Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES): Stores energy in the magnetic field created by the flow of direct current in a superconducting coil.
Hydrogen Energy Storage: Involves producing hydrogen through electrolysis, storing it, and later converting it back to electricity using fuel cells.
Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG): Converts surplus electricity into synthetic methane via methanation processes.
Power-to-Gas: Converts electrical energy into hydrogen via electrolysis, which can then be stored and used directly or converted into other fuels.
Additional resources:
For deeper insights into the energy industry you can access our other resources:
- Energy Industry Overviews: A library of comprehensive overviews of more than 30 segments within the energy industry.
- Top Energy Consulting Firms: A curated list of the top consulting firms in the energy industry, based on our deep experience in the industry, conversations with industry leaders, and extensive secondary research.
For deeper insights into the energy industry you can access our other resources:
Energy Industry Overviews: A library of comprehensive overviews of more than 30 segments within the energy industry.
Top Energy Consulting Firms: A curated list of the top consulting firms in the energy industry, based on our deep experience in the industry, conversations with industry leaders, and extensive secondary research.
Umbrex can connect you with an independent consultant with expertise in the energy industry.