Filenews 1 October 2025
Energy storage is emerging as a decisive factor for the future of renewables, as wind and solar energy are growing faster than any other source of electricity, but remain intermittent. The challenge is no longer just about the sources of generation, but about the systems that can ensure a stable power supply.
Lithium-ion batteries dominate the market thanks to their lower cost and widespread use, but they face limitations in duration, safety, and supply chain. The reliance on lithium, cobalt, and nickel, combined with fire hazards and recycling problems, make it clear that they are not the ultimate solution.
New technologies are on the horizon: flow batteries with liquid electrolyte tanks that offer decades of scale and durability; gravity systems, such as those of Energy Vault and Gravitricity, which store energy by lifting weights; thermal storage in sand or molten salt capable of supplying electricity and thermal energy; and sodium-ion batteries, cheaper and safer, albeit with a lower energy density.
The global storage market is estimated to grow tenfold by 2030, with the US, Europe, and China funding strategic projects and instituting incentives. The competition is reminiscent of the geopolitics of fossil fuels, with the focus shifting to supply chains, production capacity, and technology ownership.
The future will likely be shaped by a hybrid grid: lithium batteries will continue to dominate short-term storage, while flow batteries, thermal storage, and gravity systems will cater to long-term applications. Security, resilience and energy autonomy will determine who dominates this new clean energy "battlefield".
Forbes
