From liquid air to supercapacitators, energy storage is finally poised for a breakthrough

Banks of batteries and other technologies could lower energy bills and help renewable power, says energy storage industry as it gears up for bumper year

"It doesn't always rain when you need water, so we have reservoirs - but we don't have the same system for electricity," says Jill Cainey, director of the UK's Electricity Storage Network.

But that may change in 2016, with industry figures predicting a breakthrough year for a technology not only seen as vital to the large-scale rollout of renewable energy, but also offering the prospect of lowering customers' energy bills.