MIT, NTNU Model Liquid Air Energy Storage System

As renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more prominent, energy storage solutions are critical to maintaining grid reliability when sunlight or wind is unavailable. Traditional methods such as pumped hydro are limited by geography, while lithium-ion batteries are best for short-term storage due to cost constraints. Innovations like liquid air energy storage (LAES) offer clean, scalable options for storing electricity over days or longer, though their economic viability is still under investigation. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) and hybrid energy management systems (HEMS), which optimize the integration of batteries with solar power, are advancing rapidly, aided by steadily declining battery prices and industry expertise. New technologies, such as organic flow batteries and supercapacitor-hydrogen hybrids, are being piloted and deployed at commercial scale to boost resilience and reduce costs. These developments collectively aim to phase out fossil fuel backups, support critical infrastructure, and enhance the accessibility and efficiency of renewable energy systems.