Emissions Effects of Energy Storage for Frequency Regulation: Comparing Battery and Flywheel Storage to Natural Gas

With an increase in renewable energy generation the United States, there is a growing need for more frequency regulation to ensure stability of electric grid. Fast ramping natural gas plants are often used regulation, but this creates emissions associated with burning fossil fuels. Energy storage systems (ESSs), such as batteries and flywheels, provide alternative service. However, efficiency losses charging discharging system cause additional electrical requirements emissions. There not good understanding these indirect from ESSs literature, most sources stating that have lower emissions, without quantification We created model estimate three types (CO2, NOX, SO2) providing compare them plant same When credited generated electricity, 33% 68% CO2 than turbine, depending on US eGRID subregion, higher NOX SO2 different plausible assumptions about framing analysis can make worse choice so true difference depends nature substitution between generation.