Which energy storage technology is the most popular in Europe?

Pumped hydro is the most widely used technology for energy storage in Europe and worldwide, but batteries and hydrogen have come into the spotlight over the last decade as a recent trend in the energy storage market.

Is energy storage a good investment in Europe?

Compared to classic renewables, energy storage has really only become an investable asset in Europe over the last few years on the back of technology advances, market price signals, and government support mechanisms.

What percentage of Europe's energy storage capacity is pumped hydro?

However, despite an exponential growth in Europe’s battery energy storage capacity, which reached 36 gigawatt-hours in 2023, pumped hydro still accounted for 90 percent of the electricity storage capacity in the European Union that year.

How much energy storage will Europe have by 2050?

Overall, total energy storage in Europe is expected to increase to about 375 gigawatts by 2050, from 15 gigawatts last year, according to BloombergNEF. We spoke with Grebien about electricity market trends, energy storage technologies, as well as the investment and financing opportunities emerging from these technologies.

How do energy storage assets make money in Europe?

For short-duration energy storage assets, there are really three key revenue streams for energy storage assets in Europe. The first one is capacity payments, which have become a broadly implemented policy measure by governments to support system reliability and incentivize the installation of certain new power asset types.

Why should you invest in battery storage in Europe?

In Europe, the capacity of renewable energy sources is growing very rapidly, while traditional power plants are slowly being decommissioned. That’s creating a unique new opportunity for investors amid the emerging demand for battery storage, which provides balance to electricity markets.