The promise of renewable energy has been partly realized as renewables, including wind and solar, have attracted significant investment over the years and now generate output that comprises a useful contribution to our overall consumer and commercial energy needs.

But technological limitations and high cost structures continue to prevent renewables from meeting their full potential.

Because wind and solar power depend on natural phenomena their production is necessarily intermittent. Developing a way to effectively store such energy in a cost effective manner is therefore crucial to ensure availability on a continuous basis.