Applications and prospect of energy storage batteries

The major incentive for the U.S. to develop commercial-scale batteries and other efficient storage systems is the potential saving of petroleum and natural gas. Storing the off-peak energy derived from coal and nuclear base generating plants and discharging it during the periods of high demand is the concept contemplated for electric utility application. Wide use of electric vehicles in big cities and urban areas for the improvement of air quality is another incentive. Three key areas are discussed: the technical and economic requirements of batteries for applications to electric utility and to electric vehicles, the current development status of battery technology in the U.S. and the level of development efforts, and the prospects and the schedule for implementing the advanced battery technology.