The House recently passed legislation that would encourage the continued development and deployment of advanced energy storage.

"To provide for research, development, and demonstration programs in advanced energy storage systems for electric drive vehicles, stationary applications, and electricity transmission and distribution applications, to support the ability of the United States to remain globally competitive in this field, and to promote the efficient delivery and use of energy. "

Although much of it is aimed at research and plug power, there is money for large stationary installations of energy storage for grid support, integration of renewable energy, smart grids, self-healing grids, peak load management, and many of the other important services that advanced energy storage technologies can provide.  $30 million per year has been set aside for these demonstrations.

The bill has been sent to the Senate, where it should go to conference to integrate it with their energy legislation.  Under the Senate "Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007’’, $100 million per year has been included for similar programs.

Altogether, this is a good start for energy storage.  Advanced energy storage receives almost no financial help from government agencies, but it is potentially vital to our nation’s energy security.  Subsidies for wind energy have caused a huge increase in projects - so much so that grid operators are almost in a panic over how to integrate such an enormous influx of intermittent power.  Storage is needed to firm wind and prevent it from disrupting power flows, but no incentives are in place to accelerate production.  Perhaps this legislation will help.

Crossing our fingers...

For more information, go to http://science.house.gov/legislation/leg_highlights_detail.aspx?NewsID=1983