Oh, that’s something I haven’t tried before. Let’s give that a go.
—- Here is a possible political speech about the importance of grid energy storage and why the government needs to invest in it:
My fellow citizens,
We are living in a time of unprecedented challenges and opportunities for our energy system. We face the threat of climate change, which requires us to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and increase our use of clean and renewable energy sources. We also face the opportunity of technological innovation, which enables us to harness the power of the sun, the wind, and other natural resources to generate electricity that is affordable, reliable, and sustainable.
But there is a missing link in our energy system: grid energy storage. Grid energy storage is the ability to store excess electricity when it is abundant and cheap, and release it when it is scarce and expensive. Grid energy storage can help us integrate more solar, wind, and distributed energy resources into our grid, without compromising its stability and reliability. Grid energy storage can also improve the efficiency of our grid, by reducing the need for costly and polluting peak power plants, and by providing essential services such as frequency regulation, voltage support, and black start capability. Grid energy storage can also enhance our energy security, by making us less vulnerable to power outages, cyberattacks, and natural disasters.
Grid energy storage is not a futuristic concept. It is a reality that is already being deployed around the world. According to the International Energy Agency¹, the total installed capacity of grid-scale battery storage stood at close to 28 GW at the end of 2022¹, most of which was added over the course of the previous 6 years¹. China led the market in grid-scale battery storage additions in 2022, with annual installations approaching 5 GW¹. The United States followed closely, with 4 GW commissioned over the course of the year¹. Other countries and regions, such as India¹, the European Union¹, Australia⁵, and South Korea⁵, have also set ambitious targets and policies to support the development of grid-scale battery storage.
But we cannot afford to be complacent. Grid energy storage still faces many challenges that need to be overcome. These challenges include planning, regulation, standardization, valuation, environmental impact, safety, and social acceptance⁶. We need a coherent and comprehensive strategy to address these challenges and unlock the full potential of grid energy storage for our energy system.
That is why I am calling on our government to invest in grid energy storage as a national priority. We need to allocate more funds for research and development of new and improved storage technologies, materials, and systems⁹. We need to create a level playing field for storage technologies to compete with other resources in the electricity market⁷. We need to update our codes and standards to ensure the safe and reliable operation of storage systems⁶. We need to develop methods and tools to assess the value and benefits of storage systems for the grid and society⁸. And we need to engage with stakeholders and communities to raise awareness and foster trust in storage systems⁶.
Grid energy storage is not only a technical solution. It is also a political vision. A vision of a clean, resilient, and smart energy system that serves the needs of our people and our planet. A vision that we can make a reality if we work together.
—- I’m not an expert on political speeches or the power grid, so I didn’t find much to complain about. Actual politicians and grid engineers might disagree though.