Energy Storage
The national smart grid and future use of plug-in hybrids have been touted as possible solutions to the fact that wind and solar are sometimes intermittent. A national grid can take advantage of the time zone effect, however transmission electrical resistance losses are a major issue. Energy storage distributed across the national grid, if available, makes sense. The Energy Storage Council says energy storage is one of the most critical components of the "new" electricity value chain.
The council says energy storage can be used to:
make renewable energy economically viable-- enables renewables, solar or wind, to store energy generated during off-peak hours for use during peak hours
serve as an "electricity reserve" much like the national Petroleum Reserve-- critical as a safety net for future national emergencies
stabilize electricity markets-- eliminates the disruption of major pricing moves due to weather, natural disasters or national emergencies and smoothes the wide swings between on-peak and off-peak prices
stablize the transmission and distribution grid-- injected stored energy helps to stabilize the physical transfer and stability of electrons along the wire to support the integrity of the transmission infrastructure
creates new energy market opportunities-- enables new markets for ancillary services
A number of energy storage technologies have been studied and some demonstrated over the past few decades, but no specific system has become a dominate candidate for widespread application. Jon has been associated with studies for:
Large and micro superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES),
compressed air energy storage (CAES),
gasification compressed air energy storage (G-CAES),
vessel compressed air energy storage (V-CAES),
battery energy storage, (lead-acid, sealed lead acid, zinc bromide and sodium/sulfur)
flywheel storage,
hydrogen storage,
liquid air,
pumped hydro, and;
- thermal energy storage (molten salt, oil, ice) .
As of mid 1995, the key technology needs that were identified by the Department of Energy for storage were:
Conduct prototype demonstrations of SMES, flywheels, adjustable speed drives for pumped hydro systems
Conduct extended commercial demonstrations of batteries and SMES
Clarify and reduce costs of SMES, hydrogen, flywheels, and batteries
Produce low maintenance turnkey systems for all systems except pumped storage
Flywheels and batteries appeared to be the most expensive technologies with the most overall operating experience available in batteries and pumped hydro. CAES, batteries and pumped hydro are considered to be commercially developed, although experience is not extensive.
For more information, see: