Comparison of energy storage solutions for businesses: advantages, disadvantages and costs
Against a backdrop of accelerating energy transition, energy storage is becoming an essential solution for corporates. Not only does it optimize energy consumption, it also secures electricity supplies and plays an active role in the transition to renewable energies.
Given the diversity of solutions available, it is essential to understand the advantages, limitations and costs of each technology in order to make an informed choice. This article provides a comparison of the main energy storage options for business needs.
What is electricity storage?
Energy storage consists in conserving a quantity of energy produced for deferred use. It is an essential lever for managing the intermittency of renewable energies, reducing dependence on the grid and improving energy flexibility.
This energy can be stored in several forms: electrochemical (batteries), mechanical (flywheels), thermal or chemical (hydrogen).
👉 For a complete scientific introduction, see CEA – Energy storage
Technological energy storage solutions for businesses
1. Mechanical storage
Mechanical systems store energy in the form of motion or position:
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Pumped storage: used on a large scale, this system is based on the transfer of water between two basins at different altitudes. Its use is limited to geographically suitable sites.
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Flywheels: they store energy in kinetic form by rotating a rotor. Although highly responsive, they are best suited to short-term needs.
Advantages: long service life, low environmental impact (especially for WWTPs)
Disadvantages: large footprint, high installation costs, not suitable for SMEs
Applications: heavy industry, energy infrastructure
ℹ️ Find out more: Énergie Plus – Technical review
2. Battery storage
This is the most widespread technology, with several variants adapted to professional use.
a) Lithium-ion batteries
Widely used for their high energy density and fast response time.
- Advantages: compact, high efficiency (>90 %), falling prices (down 20% from 2023, reaching a record $115 per kilowatt
- Disadvantages: thermal sensitivity, limited life cycle (3000-5000 cycles)
See also: AceBattery complete guide
b) Sodium-ion batteries
A promising alternative to lithium, less costly and less dependent on critical resources.
- Advantages: abundant resources, good low-temperature behaviour
- Inconvénients : technologie encore en développement, densité énergétique plus faible
c) Redox flow batteries
Based on the circulation of two electrolytes, they enable long-term storage
- Advantages: very long service life (>10,000 cycles), sizing flexibility
- Disadvantages: large footprint, high cost
3. Hydrogen storage
Electricity is used to produce hydrogen by electrolysis, which is then stored and converted back into electricity via a fuel cell.
- Advantages: long-term storage, no CO₂ emissions during use
- Disadvantages: low overall efficiency (~30-40%), complex infrastructure
For a technical overview: France Renouvelables – Storage guide
4. Thermal and thermochemical storage
This system involves storing heat for later release, often using phase-change materials or chemical reactions.
- Advantages: low cost, useful for heating or air conditioning
- Inconvénients : réservé aux usages thermiques, rendement dépendant des températures
What are the advantages of a storage system for businesses?
Integrating an energy storage system offers many benefits:
- Energy optimization: better management of consumption peaks
- Autonomy: reducing dependence on the grid and securing supply
- Profitability: self-consumption of the energy produced
- CSR commitment: actively contributing to the energy transition
What are the criteria for choosing an energy storage system for businesses?
The choice of storage technology is based on several criteria:
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Specific energy requirements: it is essential to determine the power required, the storage time needed and the frequency of use in order to choose the right battery (e.g. lithium-ion for fast-response needs, hydrogen or gravity-fed for long-term use).
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Budget: technologies vary widely in terms of installation and maintenance costs; some, such as lithium-ion, have seen their prices fall, but others, such as thermal or compressed-air storage, remain more competitive on a large scale.
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Available space: some solutions, such as lithium-ion batteries, are very compact, while others (gravity storage, hydrogen tanks) require considerable space or special facilities.
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Environmental and CSR objectives: companies are increasingly integrating criteria of sustainability, recyclability of materials or carbon impact, influencing choice towards greener or more circular solutions.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each energy storage technology presents a compromise between several key factors: efficiency, cost, installation complexity, lifetime, but also environmental impact. A highly energy-efficient solution may be costly to install or difficult to integrate into an existing environment. Conversely, a more economical solution may offer limited performance or durability. It is therefore essential to carry out a personalized study, taking into account the specific characteristics of the site (consumption profile, technical constraints, strategic and environmental objectives), in order to select the most suitable and cost-effective technology for the long term.
Comparison of the main energy storage technologies
| Technology | Yield | Lifetime | Maturity | Cost | Main uses | Typology of clients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion | ★★★★★ | 10–15 years | Very mature | Medium | Self-consumption, backup, electric mobility | Individuals, SMEs, local authorities |
| Sodium-ion | ★★★★☆ | ~10 years | Emerging | Weak | Decentralized storage, local network backup | SMEs, remote sites, public buildings |
| Redox flow | ★★★★☆ | >20 years | Medium | High | Long-term storage, load smoothing | Industrial sites, network operators |
| Hydrogen | ★★☆☆☆ | 15–20 years | Under development | Very high | Long-term autonomy, seasonal storage | Remote sites, rural communities |
| Thermal | ★★★☆☆ | 10–15 years | Old | Weak | Waste heat recovery, network heating | Industry, service sector |
GreenYellow’s energy storage solutions
At GreenYellow, energy storage is not based on standard products, but on tailor-made projects and turnkey solutions, which make up our #SHIFTStorage offering :
- Hybridization of BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) + self-consumption solar energy: optimizes the use of solar energy produced on site, secures power supply in the event of grid outages and generates lasting savings on electricity bills.
- Hybridization BESS + IRVE (charging infrastructure for electric vehicles): Facilitates the deployment of low-voltage electric charging stations, optimizes costs for the operator and offers a scalable, resilient solution with no need to modify the existing connection.
- Battery Stand-Alone: Allows you to manage consumption peaks (peak shaving), smooth the load on the grid (load shifting) and secure supply in the event of power cuts.
- Microgrid (smart local energy network): Offers optimized management of energy produced on site, maximum exploitation of renewable resources and energy flexibility through demand management.
- Hybridization of BESS + Solar for grid injection: Aims to maximize revenue by taking advantage of electricity market price differentials, while ensuring smooth injection and adaptation to grid constraints.
Conclusion
Energy storage is a strategic component for companies wishing to cut costs, optimize their energy expenses, secure their supply and accelerate their energy transition.
Each technology (battery, hydrogen, thermal, thermochemical or mechanical) has its own specific characteristics. To make the right choice, it’s essential to take into account a number of criteria, such as use, the type of site and its specific features, project objectives and available budget.
With its customizable #SHIFTStorage offering, GreenYellow is positioning itself as a reference player, able to help companies define and deploy the storage solution best suited to their needs and site profile.
👉 Contact our experts now for a customized storage solution tailored to your business challenges: access the #SHIFTStorage form
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