Energy Storage: Importance and Challenges

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This chapter explores the concept of energy storage and its significance in consumption, discussing various forms of energy and their storage capabilities. It delves into the complexities of incorporating renewable energy sources into the electricity system, emphasizing the need for effective energy management. The chapter also analyzes the challenges and potential solutions for energy storage, including batteries, hydrogen, and other innovative materials.

On this episode, Nate is joined by Graham Palmer, a scholar and engineer in the field of energy. While this show frequently covers the importance of energy itself, this discussion focuses on how the ability to store and access energy has critically shaped societies. From agriculture, to wood, to coal, to oil, each transition has marked a new way for humans to interact with the world around them. What would it mean for economic growth if we no longer have access to these storable energies? What does the necessity of storability mean for electricity - an inherently flow-based energy form? Would human societies moving back to a flow-based energy system also mean once again becoming in-sync with the Earth and her ecosystems?

About Graham Palmer

Graham Palmer is a researcher at Monash University, with an industry background as an engineer and researcher in manufacturing, HVAC and electronics. He has published in the area of biophysical economics, renewable energy, life-cycle analysis, and energy-economic modeling. Graham obtained his PhD in the area of energy-return-on-investment (EROI) of electricity supply. His current research interests include the future role of emerging energy storage systems.

Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tSsp_XyXfyY

More info and show notes: https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/87-graham-palmer