Researchers Take a Practical Look Beyond Short-Term Energy Storage
May 27, 2021 | NRLEstimated reading time: 1 minute
With variable renewable energy (VRE) expected to become a much larger share of the global energy mix, storage solutions are needed beyond short-duration timescales, such as standard commercial batteries, which are suitable for covering hourly differences in net load.
A Nature Energy “News & Views” article by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) research engineer Omar J. Guerra describes research needs for longer-duration and seasonal energy storage solutions. The article, titled “Beyond short-duration energy storage,” reviews important practical implications of a research article contributed by Nestor A. Sepulveda and colleagues, as well as research opportunities to develop a stronger understanding of how long-term and seasonal storage technologies can become cost-effective and grid-supportive energy solutions.
Guerra’s article draws attention to the need for new system-level models that resolve the integrated aspects of longer-duration storage options, including seasonal timescales.
Longer-duration energy storage technologies could include mechanical, such as pumped hydro; electrochemical, such as novel battery technologies; chemical, such as hydrogen; or thermal, such as molten salts. Guerra’s article describes recent studies showing how these technologies can provide grid-scale storage in the long term; however, more detailed analysis is needed to motivate industry investment and determine the complete value of upcoming technologies to the grid.
This review summarizes the research needs to arrive at more comprehensive results: better temporal representation for production cost models and capacity planning models; more integrated models showing how storage technologies behave with varying loads and levels of renewables; and better-informed experimental validation of storage technologies.
Overall, this article suggests that with higher detail and more representative modeling, the energy industry will have a more complete understanding of how long-duration storage technologies could displace carbon-intensive energy sources, provide resilience and transmission deferral benefits, and become economically viable investments.
Read the full article here.
Suggested Items
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Sustainability in the Industry
04/26/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Henry Crandall and Chris Nash of Indium Corporation discuss the company's 90th anniversary and its focus on sustainability. They focus on the benefits of sustainable materials, their compatibility, and value propositions. The conversation also highlights how Durafuse LT technology's role in reducing reflow temperatures is leading to significant cost and energy savings. Nash also touches on downstream sustainability efforts such as using recycled materials for packaging.
Fujitsu, METRON Collaborate to Drive ESG Success
04/24/2024 | JCN NewswireFujitsu Limited and METRON SAS, a French cleantech company specializing in energy management solutions for industrial decarbonization, today announced a strategic initiative to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality in the manufacturing industry.
Amphenol Corporation Releases 2023 Sustainability Report
04/23/2024 | Amphenol CorporationAmphenol Corporation released its 2023 Sustainability Report.
Foxconn Pledges 100% Renewable Electricity by 2040, Joins RE100
04/22/2024 | FoxconnHon Hai Technology Group announced its worldwide operations will run fully on green electricity by 2040 and has joined the global initiative RE100, in a milestone on Earth Day 2024 that adds the world’s largest electronics manufacturer and technology solution provider among the most influential businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity.
Altus Group Helps BitBox Unlock Productivity and Efficiency Gains with New Reflow Oven
04/22/2024 | Altus GroupAltus Group, a leading provider of capital equipment, has recently assisted BitBox, a UK-based electronics design, engineering and manufacturing company in upgrading its operations with the implementation of a new reflow oven from Heller Industries.