ABSTRACT
Energy storage technologies are of great interest to electric utilities, energy service companies,
and automobile manufacturers (for electric vehicle application). The ability to store large amounts of
energy would allow electric utilities to have greater flexibility in their operation because with this
option the supply and demand do not have to be matched instantaneously. The availability of the
proper battery at the right price will make the electric vehicle a reality, a goal that has eluded
the automotive industry thus far. Four types of storage technologies (listed below) are discussed in
this section, but most emphasis is placed on storage batteries because it is now closest to being
commercially viable. The other storage technology widely used by the electric power industry,
pumped-storage power plants, is not discussed as this has been in commercial operation for more
than 60 years in various countries around the world.
