About this free course:

Ready to power the future? Energy storage is at the core of the transition to a clean, reliable energy system. As we rely more on renewables like solar and wind—which aren’t always available when we need them—energy storage ensures the lights stay on and the world keeps moving.

This course will immerse you in the fundamentals of energy storage, from understanding batteries and thermal systems to exploring innovative solutions like flywheels and pumped hydro. You’ll discover how these technologies balance the electric grid, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and open doors to a sustainable future. With new developments transforming the industry, there’s never been a more exciting time to dive in. Join us to explore how energy storage is revolutionizing how we power our lives, and be part of the journey towards a greener tomorrow.

Learning Outcomes:

• Define energy storage and explain its importance in capturing energy from renewable sources for later use.
• Compare various forms of energy storage—including electrochemical (batteries), thermal, mechanical (flywheels, pumped hydro), and chemical (hydrogen) and explain how they transform and store energy.
• Analyze the principles, advantages, and limitations of different battery technologies (lead-acid, lithium-ion, solid-state) and evaluate their suitability for different energy storage applications.
• Explain how energy storage technologies integrate with the electric grid and discuss the challenges and solutions associated with incorporating renewable energy sources.
• Assess the current state of energy storage capacity in the United States and evaluate whether existing projections and targets are adequate to meet future energy demands.

Modules in this course: 

1. Defining Energy Storage
2. Differentiating Energy Storage Technologies
3. Examining Implementations of Energy Storage

Course format:

This online learning experience provides you with interactive content, videos, readings, a downloadable learning guide, non-graded practice questions and a graded final assessment to test your understanding of the material covered in this course.