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

Ergun, Sadettin; Dik, Abdullah; Boukhanouf, Rabah; Omer, Siddig

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 photo-voltaics (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.

Citation

Ergun, S., Dik, A., Boukhanouf, R., & Omer, S. (2025). Large-Scale Renewable Energy Integration: Tackling Technical Obstacles and Exploring Energy Storage Innovations. Sustainability, 17(3), Article 1311. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031311

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jan 30, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Feb 6, 2025
• Publication Date: Feb 6, 2025
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 30, 2025
• Journal: Sustainability
• Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 3
• Article Number: 1311
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031311
• 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
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/45040113
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1311