Lesson

Lesson 7 of 10
In Progress

Lesson 5: Energy Storage – Part 1​

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Define energy storage and explain its significance in modern energy systems
  • Describe the various benefits of energy storage technologies, including grid stabilisation and renewable energy integration
  • Identify and explain different types of energy storage technologies and how they work
  • Understand the specific applications and advantages of battery energy storage, pumped hydro storage, compressed air energy storage, thermal energy storage and flywheel energy storage

Video Duration: 20 minutes approximately.

Lesson Notes 

Introduction

  • Energy storage captures energy for use at a later time
  • Critical for balancing supply and demand in modern energy systems
  • Enables greater flexibility and resilience in energy grids
  • Supports integration of intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind
  • Helps stabilise the grid by smoothing out fluctuations

What is Energy Storage?

  • Energy storage captures energy when it is available and stores it for later use
  • Provides grid stabilisation by smoothing out fluctuations in supply and demand
  • Supports electricity peak shaving by reducing the need for peaking power plants
  • Enables greater integration of renewable energy sources
  • Enhances flexibility and resilience of the energy grid

For image see Reference Link 1.

Benefits of Energy Storage

Grid Stabilisation:

  • Maintains voltage and frequency

Peak Shaving:

  • Reduces peak demand and lowers costs

Renewable Integration:

  • Stores excess renewable energy

System Performance:

  • Improves efficiency and provides backup power

Environmental Benefits:

  • Reduces fossil fuel use and emissions

Examples:

  • Battery storage for solar energy
  • Pumped hydro for wind energy

Types of Energy Storage

Battery Energy Storage:

  • Uses lithium-ion, lead-acid and flow batteries

Pumped Hydro Storage:

  • Pumps water to higher elevation, releases for power

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES):

  • Compresses air, releases to drive turbines

Thermal Energy Storage:

  • Stores energy as heat (sensible, latent, thermochemical)

Flywheel Energy Storage:

  • Stores kinetic energy, releases quickly.

Battery Energy Storage

Efficient and versatile energy storage

Battery Chemistries:

  • Lithium-ion: High energy density, long cycle life
  • Lead-acid: Cost-effective, reliable for backup power
  • Flow batteries: Long-duration storage, scalable for large projects
  • Other battery chemistries

Applications:

  • Grid stabilisation and frequency regulation
  • Peak shaving
  • Backup power during outages
  • Powering electric vehicles

For image see Reference Link 2.

Pumped Hydro Storage

Established and widely used energy storage technology

How It Works:

  • Pumps water to a higher elevation during low demand
  • Releases water to generate electricity during high demand

Suitability:

  • Ideal for large-scale and long-duration energy storage
  • Balances grid load and supports renewable energy integration

Applications:

  • Provides grid stability and peak shaving
  • Supports integration of intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar

For images see Reference Link 3.

Compressed Air Energy Storage

Uses compressed air to store energy

How It Works:

  • Air is compressed and stored in underground caverns or large tanks
  • During high demand, compressed air is released and heated to drive a turbine, generating electricity

Suitability:

  • Effective for grid-scale energy storage
  • Long-duration storage capacity

Applications:

  • Balances intermittent renewable energy sources
  • Provides grid stability and peak shaving

For images see Reference Link 4.

Thermal Energy Storage

Stores energy in the form of heat.

Types:

  • Sensible Heat Storage: Uses materials like water or molten salts
  • Latent Heat Storage: Utilises phase change materials
  • Thermochemical Storage: Involves reversible chemical reactions

Suitability:

  • Ideal for heating, cooling, and industrial processes

Applications:

  • Building heating and cooling
  • Industrial process heat
  • Innovative heat batteries

For images see Reference Link 5.

Flywheel Energy Storage

Stores energy as kinetic energy in a rotating mass.

How It Works:

  • A rotor spins at high speeds to store energy
  • Energy is released by slowing down the rotor, converting kinetic energy back to electrical energy.

Suitability

  • Ideal for short-duration energy storage
  • Provides rapid response and high power output

Applications:

  • Grid stability and frequency regulation
  • Short-duration backup power
  • Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)

For images see Reference Link 6.

Conclusion

  • Energy storage is critical for grid stability, renewable integration, and efficient energy management
  • Various storage technologies include batteries, pumped hydro, compressed air, thermal, and flywheels, each with unique benefits and applications
  • Effective use of energy storage enhances reliability, reduces costs, and supports sustainability goals

Next Steps: 

  • Explore advancements in storage technologies to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness
  • Investigate policy frameworks and incentives to promote energy storage adoption
  • Consider implementing energy storage solutions in your projects to enhance resilience and support renewable energy integration

Reference Links 

  1. https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=22831
  2. https://www.tennet.eu/battery-energy-storage-systems-bess
  3. https://arena.gov.au/blog/what-is-pumped-hydro-and-how-does-it-work/
  4. https://phys.org/news/2010-03-compressed-air-energy-storage-renewable.html
  5. https://www.ites.kit.edu/english/732.php
  6. https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/3/2/20