Large-Scale Renewable Energy Integration: Tackling Technical Obstacles and Exploring Energy Storage Innovations

Sadettin Ergun (), Abdullah Dik, Rabah Boukhanouf and Siddig Omer ()
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Sadettin Ergun: Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Abdullah Dik: School of Engineering, University of Derby, Derby DE22 3AW, UK
Rabah Boukhanouf: Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Siddig Omer: Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-31

Abstract: The global transition to renewable energy sources (RESs) is accelerating to combat the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and mitigate their devastating environmental impact. However, the increasing integration of large-scale intermittent RESs, such as solar photovoltaics (PVs) and wind power systems, introduces significant technical challenges related to power supply stability, reliability, and quality. This paper provides a comprehensive review of these challenges, with a focus on the critical role of energy storage systems (ESSs) in overcoming them by evaluating their technical, economic, and environmental performance. Various types of energy storage systems, including mechanical, electrochemical, electrical, thermal, and chemical systems, are analyzed to identify their distinct strengths and limitations. This study further examines the current state and potential applications of ESSs, identifying strategies to enhance grid flexibility and the increased adoption of RESs. The findings reveal that while each ESS type has specific advantages, no single technology can tackle all grid challenges. Consequently, hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs), which combine multiple technologies, are emphasized for their ability to improve efficiency and adaptability, making them especially suitable for modern power grids.

Keywords: renewable energy integration; energy storage systems (ESSs); hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs); power grid stability; grid reliability and quality; energy transition; sustainable energy solutions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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