European energy storage share in commercial buildings and business parks

What is the European Commission doing about energy storage?

In 2020, the European Commission published a study on energy storage, which summarized some previous studies and reports, explored current and potential energy storage markets in Europe, and set out policy and regulatory recommendations for energy storage.

What is the future of energy storage in Europe?

The European energy storage market contracted in 2019 to 1 GWh, with a cumulative installed base of 3.4 GWh across all segments. However, the future of energy storage in 2020 in Europe remains positive as the energy transition progresses.

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.

Why is energy storage important in the EU?

The EU has a comprehensive database of the European energy storage technologies and facilities. Energy storage also plays an important role in the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 green transition package, a set of policy initiatives aiming at ensuring the EU gradually becomes climate neutral.

Are European storage sites nearing their full capacity?

But storage sites are nearing their full capacity. For the European Union as a whole, storage is already at 92% of its maximum capacity. Storage is close to the maximum in France (98%), Germany (95%), the Netherlands (93%) and Italy (93%), which collectively account for two-thirds of all EU inventories.

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.