IRENA Releases 'Storage+' Report to Explore Innovative Paths for Energy Storage with Diverse Industries

The World Energy Storage Conference 2026 was held on October 15 in Ningde, Fujian Province, China. During the conference, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released Key Enablers for the Energy Transition: The "Storage+"  Paradigm for System Integration (Executive Summary). The Report introduces the concept of "Storage+," which aims to reduce carbon emissions across a range of applications through cross-sector integration and build an innovative ecosystem of zero-carbon applications centered on energy storage.

IRENA also presented the Global Initiative for Energy Storage (GIFES), which aims to address the lack of a global industry organization dedicated to energy storage and establish an international platform connecting the global energy storage industry with policymakers and markets.

Releasing "Storage+" Report to Explore Diverse Paths to Accelerate the Energy Transition

Led by IRENA, the Report was developed with contributions from more than ten international companies and organizations, including CATL. Ilina Radoslavova Stefanova, Head of IRENA's Coalition for Action, presented the Report's key findings at the conference.

Illina highlighted several key applications of the "Storage+" concept. "Energy Storage+ Grid"  uses grid-forming energy storage technologies to ensure a continuous and reliable power supply and strengthen grid resilience. "Energy Storage+ AI" uses energy storage to support renewable power supply for AI data centers (AIDCs), smooth sharp fluctuations in computing loads and protect grid infrastructure. "Energy Storage+ Transportation"  enables flexible load management through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration and supports deep emissions reductions in shipping through electric vessels. "Energy Storage+ Industry" uses microgrids to develop zero-carbon industrial parks, islands and other facilities powered entirely by renewable electricity, helping to reduce carbon emissions.

To support the large-scale deployment of "Storage+" applications, the Report outlines several key policy and market measures. These include recognizing energy storage as an independent asset class and clarifying its rights to participate in electricity markets; promoting the harmonization and mutual recognition of technical standards across industries; improving revenue mechanisms for energy storage, including energy arbitrage, capacity support and ancillary services; and strengthening supply chain cooperation, cross-sector talent development and international regulatory collaboration. These measures would provide policy guidance for unlocking the broader system value of "Storage+".

During the conference, IRENA also hosted a roundtable on innovative zero-carbon applications of "Storage+". Participants discussed key issues including the safety of large-scale energy storage, global standards, electricity market mechanisms, the aggregation of distributed energy resources, island energy systems and project risk protection.

Participants agreed that, as "Storage+" applications continue to expand, energy storage is evolving from a supporting technology for renewable energy into an indispensable part of modern power system infrastructure. Moving forward, partners across the value chain will work together to promote the safe, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable large-scale deployment of "Storage+" applications.

Presenting GIFES to Promote Global Collaboration in Energy Storage Industry

During the conference, IRENA presented the Global Initiative for Energy Storage (GIFES). As an international platform for multilateral dialogue and cooperation in the energy storage sector, GIFES addresses a gap in global industry-level cooperation. It has brought together 21 major international power generation groups, industry organizations and large asset management companies, with activities spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.