Research area
Energy storage is a technology that retains excess energy supplied by a source, particularly by intermittent renewables, for use at a later time. By ensuring a more reliable supply of electricity, storage is vital for decarbonization of the grid, buildings, transportation, and industrial processes, and increased acceptance of renewable sources.
3X
Utility-scale storage in the U.S. has more than tripled since 2024.
By storing energy during periods of excess generation and discharging it when energy is needed, storage helps meet changing demand for electricity. Storage can reduce the required peak generation capacity for the grid and the amount of conventional power needed as backup for renewables. Key challenges include designing technologies for reliable, practical, and cost-effective long-duration energy storage; optimizing the mix of renewables, storage, and other energy sources; forecasting electricity demand and scheduling periods of storage recharge and dispatch; and establishing economic and regulatory policies that enable the expansion of energy storage.
Energy storage also enables electrification of many modes of transportation. Development of batteries that are safe, inexpensive, lightweight, and quick to charge and that have high energy density and little dependence on hard-to-obtain critical minerals is one of the critical challenges to overcome on the path to widespread electrification of transportation.
MITEI has a special focus on long-duration energy storage, including thermal, mechanical, electrical, and electrochemical approaches. Innovative storage approaches explored by our research include hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia; liquid air; thermal technologies; and pumped hydro-storage.
Building on strong MIT expertise in battery technologies, we fund research on lithium-based batteries, novel battery chemistries, solid-state batteries, and charging protocol optimization. We also sponsor studies on materials sourcing and supply chains for batteries.
Additionally, we fund MIT researchers to analyze the techno-economics and lifecycle emissions of energy storage, conduct production cost modeling, and examine competitive cost targets to render energy storage economically viable. Other studies focus on optimizing deployment of energy storage and integration of storage with grids and distributed energy resources. We also maintain a portfolio of studies related to the use of energy storage to support industrial processes, data centers, and vehicle electrification.
The MIT Energy Initiative is focusing on new energy storage technologies to enable decarbonization of the electricity grid, transportation, industry, and buildings.
Log in to view member-only content.
Log in to view member-only content.
Log in to view member-only content.
We have a time-shifting problem where the energy we want is not available when we need it. And that is cheapest and most effective to solve with storing what you have rather than just constantly building.
Podcast: Energy storage is heating up
Hear MIT Professor Asegun Henry share what it takes for a new energy storage technology to compete in today’s market and how his "sun in a box" technology might be the gamechanger we need to decarbonize the power grid.
Report: The Future of Energy Storage
Read our report, The Future of Energy Storage, analyzing energy storage as a key component in decarbonizing energy infrastructure and combating climate change.
