Practical Purposes of Energy Storage
4.1 The Need for Storage
Despite the continuing disappointment with using electrochemical batteries for long-term, bulk, or even vehicular propulsion power, they are still favored in many applications, ranging from small vehicles to computer power, because of their inherent simplicity in configuration and because they provide direct output power directly in electrical form. However, virtually none of these various electrochemical systems (other than the familiar lead-acid battery) have found its way into extensive and practical use. In most instances, they are in the stage of engineering prototypes or demonstration projects and publicly funded programs.
Immense attention and support has been expended on energy matters in recent decades, mostly with regard to its sources or production, i.e. wind, solar, methanol fuels, etc. Relatively little resources have been devoted to the storage of energy. In fact, a significant number of the problems with which we are faced could be resolved with more effective storage. Energy is frequently available to the user, but often not at the needed time or location.