Which energy storage approach is commonly used to address wind intermittency?

• A. Pumped hydro
• B. Chemical batteries only
• C. Flywheels exclusively
• D. Hydrogen storage exclusively

Answer: (A)

Wind intermittency creates mismatches between when wind generates electricity and when it’s needed, so storing energy during windy periods and releasing it later helps keep the grid stable. Pumped hydro stands out because it can store very large amounts of energy and discharge for long durations at a relatively low cost, using proven equipment and infrastructure. Its scale and maturity make it the most common grid-scale storage solution for smoothing wind fluctuations. Other options have roles too: chemical batteries are excellent for fast, short-term storage and modular deployment but aren’t typically cost-effective for long-duration, large-scale storage; flywheels provide quick power bursts for short times but aren’t suited to daily energy storage; hydrogen storage can enable long-term storage but involves efficiency losses and more infrastructure, so it isn’t as widely used purely for wind smoothing as pumped hydro.