A Review on Technological Advancement in Charge Storage Technologies for Renewable Energy Applications.

Abstract

The intermittent nature of solar and wind power necessitates reliable energy storage to stabilize electrical grids and enable high renewable penetration. This review provides a systematic assessment of charge storage technologies for renewable energy applications, with emphasis on both conventional systems and emerging post lithium solutions. A structured literature search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and IEEE Xplore for the period January 2013 to March 2026, yielding 101 peer reviewed sources after screening. Technologies are analyzed according to their operating mechanisms including electrochemical, electrostatic, mechanical, chemical, and thermal, as well as performance metrics such as energy density, power density, cycle life, and efficiency, and application suitability including grid scale systems, transport, and portable electronics. Key findings include the following: sodium ion batteries have emerged as compelling alternatives to lithium ion batteries for stationary storage due to sodium abundance and manufacturing compatibility, though energy density remains lower; solid state batteries offer intrinsic safety and high volumetric energy but face persistent electrode electrolyte interface challenges; advanced nanostructured materials particularly graphene, MXenes, and silicon based anodes enable hybrid systems that bridge the energy power gap between batteries and supercapacitors; no single technology satisfies all grid requirements, instead portfolios combining fast response supercapacitors for power quality, batteries for hourly shifting, hydrogen for seasonal storage, and thermal storage for concentrated solar power plants are necessary. Limitations of this review include the lack of quantitative meta analysis due to heterogeneous reporting standards. Future research priorities should focus on earth abundant materials, durable solid state interfaces, scalable recycling processes, and hybrid system integration. Charge storage technologies remain a fundamental prerequisite for a renewable powered future.