Empowering sustainability assessment of energy storage

Abstract

Energy storage (ES) plays a vital role in decarbonizing energy systems, yet its sustainability implications remain critical during its rapid deployment across mobile and stationary applications. This study presents the first systematic literature review focused on the assessment methods applied to ES systems in the sustainability context, by analyzing 205 peer-reviewed studies from the past five years. The review identifies Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as the most commonly employed methods, with a strong technological focus on hydrogen-based systems and batteries. In contrast, a limited number of studies consider social aspects in the sustainability context. An increasing trend toward integrated economic and environmental assessments is observed, though their coherence is often limited due to the absence of a standardized methodological framework. Most studies apply narrow system boundaries, frequently omitting critical life cycle stages such as the use phase and end-of-life. This paper provides a methodological overview of applied approaches, summarizes key indicators and gaps, and offers recommendations to enhance the comprehensiveness of ES sustainability assessments. Additionally, targeted suggestions are delivered for practitioners, method developers and policy actors to improve the quality and applicability of future assessment practices.