Big batteries like these could simply store power, but they could also be useful in smoothing out the bigger spikes and troughs in electricity production that these intermittent sources create.

FORBES: Out Of The Labs

Longer term, were we served by more renewable power generators (wind, solar) we would be better protected against unpredictable price spikes in oil and gas markets that may come when political winds blow in an unexpected direction.

FORBES: Mike Gordon

Those demand spikes are unavoidable mini-disasters for energy companies -- their own grid doesn't have the power on hand, and the utility has to buy it elsewhere -- competing with other utilities trying to keep the lights on for their customers.

CNN: Nest's plan to stop brownouts before they start