ABSTRACT

In this chapter, the commonly known storage systems are briefly presented. They are classified according to a scheme where their main characteristics are shown, corresponding to their structure and basic phenomena.

The first category describes storage systems based on physical principles such as gravitational potential forces, air compression, or rotational kinetic energy. The next category encompasses purely electrical systems like superconductive magnets and capacitors.

Finally, storage systems using electrochemical transformations are presented. Classical battery energy storage systems are described, as well as so-called flow batteries. Fuel cells and hydrogen storage are briefly introduced.

For all systems introduced in this chapter, the elementary rules for the quantified storage of energy are given.

Another aspect of the descriptions is the presentation of the power electronic circuits and architectures that are needed for a continuously controllable power flow to and from the different storage means.