Otis Singleton
Energy storage is the process of capturing energy produced at one time for use at a later time. This helps to balance supply and demand and reduce inefficiencies. There are various methods of storing electricity, including pumped hydroelectric storage, batteries, thermal energy storage, compressed air energy storage, and flywheels. These methods can be used to store energy for short or long durations and can be particularly useful for integrating more renewable energy sources into the electrical grid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To balance fluctuations in electricity supply and demand |
| Benefits | Economic, reliability, environmental, and efficiency |
| Storage Methods | Pumped hydroelectric |
| Batteries | |
| Thermal energy storage | |
| Compressed air | |
| Flywheels | |
| Supercapacitors | |
| Hydrogen | |
| Uranium | |
| Latent heat in phase change materials | |
| Gravitational storage | |
| Electrostatic/magnetic | |
| Nuclear | |
| Antimatter |
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What You'll Learn
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity
PSH systems typically have large capacities and can run for long durations. They are also very flexible, quickly increasing or decreasing the amount of power they generate. As more renewable energy sources like solar and wind power become available, which can be unpredictable, PSH systems help balance out the grid by adjusting to changes in power generation. This makes PSH ideal for electricity grid reliability and stability. It complements wind and solar power by storing the excess electricity they create and providing backup for when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining.
PSH facilities can be found all around the world. The Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station in China is one of the largest of its kind, with twelve 300 MW reversible turbines and 40-60 GWh of energy storage. In the US, the 3 GW Bath County PSH holds 11 hours of energy storage, providing power to 750,000 homes. PSH can be characterised as open-loop or closed-loop systems. Open-loop PSH has an ongoing hydrologic connection to a natural body of water, while closed-loop PSH systems are not connected to an outside water source.
PSH offers several advantages over other forms of energy storage, including long asset life, low lifetime costs, and independence from raw materials. It is also the most cost-effective means of storing large amounts of electrical energy. However, capital costs and the necessity of appropriate geography are critical factors when selecting pumped-storage plant sites.
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Flywheels
Flywheel technology is also being developed for use in electric vehicles, with the potential to replace conventional chemical batteries. Ongoing research aims to create smaller, lighter, cheaper, and higher-capacity flywheel systems.
In summary, flywheels are a proven and versatile technology for storing and releasing kinetic energy, with a range of existing and potential applications in transportation and beyond.
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Batteries
A battery is made up of at least one galvanic cell, which is the fundamental unit of electrochemical storage and discharge. The galvanic cell consists of two electrodes—an anode and a cathode—separated by an electrolyte, an ionic liquid that conducts electricity. The anode permits electrons to flow out of it, and the cathode receives them. The chemical reactions at the anode and cathode release and absorb electrons, respectively, and the electrolyte provides an electrical path for the electrons to travel.
There are many possible chemical combinations for batteries, including zinc, copper, and SO4. Lithium-ion batteries are among the fastest-growing energy storage technologies due to their high energy density, high power, and high efficiency. Other types include sodium-sulfur, metal air, and lead-acid batteries.
Research supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Science has led to significant improvements in electrical energy storage. The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) studies electrochemical materials and phenomena to design new battery materials. As a result, it now takes much less cobalt to build a lithium battery than it did in the past.
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Compressed-air energy storage
CAES plants can be used to store the surplus energy output of renewable energy sources during periods of energy overproduction. This stored energy can then be used at a later time when demand for electricity is higher or energy resource availability is lower. This helps to balance the fluctuations in electricity supply and demand, allowing the utility grid to operate more efficiently.
One of the challenges in large-scale CAES design is managing thermal energy. The compression of air leads to an increase in temperature, which reduces operational efficiency and can cause damage. There are several ways to address this issue, including adiabatic, diabatic, isothermal, and near-isothermal air storage. Adiabatic storage captures and returns the heat generated during compression to improve efficiency. Advancements in adiabatic CAES have led to system efficiencies exceeding 70%, much higher than traditional diabatic systems. Isothermal compression and expansion approaches aim to maintain operating temperature by constantly exchanging heat with the environment, but they are currently only practical for low power levels.
Hybrid Compressed Air Energy Storage (H-CAES) systems combine renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar power, with traditional CAES technology. This allows for the storage of excess renewable energy during periods of low demand, enhancing grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. For example, the Apex CAES Plant in Texas integrates wind energy with CAES to provide a consistent energy output.
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Thermal energy storage
There are several ways to store electricity, including pumped hydroelectricity, batteries, compressed air, and flywheels. One method that has gained attention is thermal energy storage (TES), which involves storing thermal energy for later use in regulating building temperatures and meeting peak energy demands. TES systems can enhance the performance of heat pumps and improve overall system efficiency.
Molten salt technology or molten salt energy storage (MSES) is a commercially used technique where molten salts retain thermal energy. This technology has been used in solar power plants, such as the Gemasolar Thermosolar solar power-tower/molten-salt plant in Spain, which continuously produced electricity for 36 days in 2013. The Cerro Dominador Solar Thermal Plant in Chile, inaugurated in June 2021, has 17.5 hours of heat storage.
Single-tank thermocline systems use silica sand as a solid medium for storing thermal energy. The tank contains both high-temperature and low-temperature regions, separated by a temperature gradient. By pumping heat-transfer fluid through the tank, thermal energy is added or removed from the system. This single-tank design is more cost-effective than two-tank systems.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to store electricity, including pumped hydroelectric storage, batteries, thermal energy storage, compressed air, and flywheels.
Thermal energy storage involves using electricity to produce thermal energy, which can be stored and used later for cooling or heating. For example, electricity can be used to produce chilled water or ice during periods of low demand and later used for cooling during periods of high demand.
CAES is a system that uses excess electricity to compress air and store it in underground caverns. The compressed air is then released to drive a turbine and produce electricity. CAES systems have high storage capacity and long lifetimes but require underground reservoirs, limiting their locations.
