Task 46 Application-Oriented Energy Storage Selection

The objective of this new Task is to develop a methodological approach for classifying potential energy storage applications based on their technical and economic requirements, and to match them with the most suitable storage technologies. This approach will help to identify key application areas and their corresponding energy storage solutions. These application-technology pairs will then be prioritized based on their relevance to future energy systems.

The goal is to answer questions like:

• Which energy storage technologies offer the technical and economical best solution for a specific application and setting?

• Which energy storage solutions have the most impact on the energy transition?

• Which fields of application for energy storage are the most relevant?

Why is this relevant?

The energy system must be capable of providing electricity, heat/cold, and mobility at the right time and place. So far, system development has been largely supply-oriented, for instance, focusing on generation through wind farms or PV installations. In a renewable, decentralized energy system, however, the focus must increasingly shift toward the demand side.

In order to accomplish this, the following questions are crucial, especially for the use of energy storage: How much energy do we actually need, at what time, and in what form? How much must be provided from energy storage? These questions help identify relevant applications for storage in order to provide the flexibility needed in the system.

Understanding when, how much, and in what form energy is required is key to identifying relevant storage applications that can provide the necessary flexibility. Efficient use of energy storage therefore requires aligning technologies precisely with application needs, ensuring that energy is stored and delivered in the most appropriate and cost-effective manner.

In this context, application-oriented energy storage selection means identifying the optimal match between an application’s requirements and the technical and economic characteristics of available storage technologies. The resulting application–technology pairs (“matches”) will then be prioritized according to their relevance for the energy system—primarily based on their potential for CO₂ emission reduction, with additional factors such as life-cycle impact or social acceptance considered where appropriate.

Such “applications” and the most suitable storage solution matching the requirements must be evaluated based on their significance for the energy transition. The question that needs to be answered is: Which storage technology offers the best technical and economic solution in the specific application, and how relevant is this identified application-storage pair (or “match”) for the energy system?

Subtask Overview:

The Task started in June 2025 and will run until June 2028.

In case you are interested to join Task 46 or receive further information, please contact: Beatrice Schulz, BVES (b.schulz@bves.de). The 2nd Experts Meeting will take place on April 13-14, 2026 in Graz, Austria. Registration is open until March 30, 2026.