Energy storage systems for carbon neutrality: Challenges and opportunities

In recent years, improvements in energy storage technology, cost reduction, and the increasing imbalance between power grid supply and demand, along with new incentive policies, have highlighted the benefits of battery energy storage systems. These systems offer long life, low cost, and high energy conversion efficiency. While energy storage is gradually transitioning from demonstration projects to commercial operations, its technical and economic performance is still limited, and it lacks economies of scale. Research on the design and operational optimization of energy storage systems is crucial for advancing project demonstrations and commercial applications. Therefore, this paper aims to provide insights into system configuration and operational optimization. It first summarizes the optimal configuration of energy storage technology for the grid side, user side, and renewable energy generation. It then analyzes and reviews the economic optimization and cybersecurity challenges in power system operations. Finally, this paper discusses unresolved issues in energy storage applications and highlights important considerations for future implementation and expansion.