Role of Energy Storage in 100% Renewable Urban Areas

Transition from hydrocarbon to renewable era has already started, but not everywhere around the world and not at the same pace. The gap between supply and demand of renewables has to be closed for providing uninterrupted and secure energy. Reaching 100% renewable target in urban areas can only be attainable with energy storage. More cost-effective energy storage options will increase exploitation of renewable potential. Energy storage can be used in several ways and points in the energy value chain. Energy end-users can benefit from storage technologies to meet their electrical, heat and cold demands. Energy storage technologies vary in terms of maturity and services they can provide. Using energy storage with different concepts such as sector coupling may increase its value and widen its users and benefits. Buildings are the focus of 100% renewable energy urban areas. Increasing net-zero energy buildings will accelerate transition to ultimate goal of 100% renewables target. There are several ways of using energy storage in buildings for using renewables and also preventing urban heat island effects. This chapter will give an overview on energy storage and its current applications in urban areas. The roles of energy storage with a special focus on 100% renewable urban areas are discussed.