Why have alternative energy storage technologies been developed?
Occasionally we need a load of extra power – e.g. when everyone turns on the kettle at half time during a football match. With energy storage systems, it’s possible to store some energy and release it at exactly the time it is needed, and to stop releasing it when it isn’t needed anymore. If we didn’t do this, we’d have to run an extra power station all the time “just in case” there was a sudden demand. If you don’t provide enough electricity when there is a sudden demand, then the electricity literally runs out, and all the lights etc. switch off. Things like dinorwig in wales (pumped storage system) http://www.fhc.co.uk/dinorwig.htm have been developed so that they can provide extra energy when there is a sudden demand.
