Contents
Renewable Energy Storage market potential is far greater than the present market, and is primarily driven by improvements in renewable and microgrid technologies in current power infrastructure.
What is the purpose of storing energy?
Using renewable energy storage to assist balance changes in electricity supply and demand during times of relatively high production and low demand, then releasing it back into the electric power grid during periods of lower production and greater demand, is one method of achieving this balance.
Storing the energy is an essential requirement for all facets of our life and it has been recognized as a basic human need. It is the key to accelerating economic growth, generation of employment, elimination of poverty and growth of human development especially in rural areas. In contrast to fossil fuel and nuclear-fuel based energy, the initial input power of a renewable energy source is outside our control.
The use of renewable energy supplies constitutes a diversion of a continuing natural flow of energy; there are problems in matching supply and demand In a given time domain, i.e., matching the rate at which energy is used. The mismatch varies with time on scales of months {e.g.. house heating in temperate climates}, days (e.g., artificial lighting) and even seconds (e.g., starting motors).
The means of storing energy in a readily recoverable form when the supply exceeds the demand for use at other times is known as energy storage. Storage of primary fuels (e.g., coal, oil and gas) is also a form of energy storage, but the term ‘energy storage’ generally applies to secondary energy rather than to primary energy.
The performance of various energy-storage mechanisms can be measured and compared in (i) MJS (ii) MJm3 (iii) MJKg -1. The first is a very important and deciding factor but is difficult to estimate. The second is important where space is a prime consideration (e.g., indoor applications). The third is considered when weight is vital (e.g., in aircrafts).
What is the significance of energy storage in renewables?
Storage of energy by utilities is appealing to them because it allows them to store energy that is generated by their plants but isn’t being utilised (for example, wind energy at night) and release it during the daytime when demand and costs are greater, as well as reduce their carbon footprint.
What clearly is Distributed Generation (DG)?
It has become increasingly popular in recent years to talk about distributed generation (DG). This is primarily due to the numerous benefits of distributed generation, including a reduction in electrical energy loss in the distribution system, a reduction in voltage fluctuations, an increase in reliability, an improvement in power quality, a reduction in energy costs, and, ultimately, an increase in customer satisfaction.
Though distributed generation (DG) in power systems has many advantages, interconnecting these new technologies to the national energy systems causes some critical problems, such as changing the protection setting, power system stability, and islanding phenomena (which are all associated with distributed generation).
DGs may contain a variety of various types of electrical energy production, including renewable resources, such as wind and solar power plants, and nonrenewable resources, such as fossil fuels (conventional methods). The use of most renewable energy resources, such as wind farms and photovoltaic (PV) systems, as distributed generation (DGs) creates two major challenges: the output power is unpredictable and uncontrollable, and the output power is variable.
Indeed, when it comes to the implementation of DGs in a power system, these primary characteristics cause additional concerns. It is recommended to use an energy storage system (ESS), which is considered to be one of the most acceptable options in this field. Engineers will be able to control the power system more effectively with the help of this new category.
NECESSITY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE
1. The effective utilization of intermittent and variable energy sources such as sunlight, wind, etc. often requires energy storage
2. In some circumstances, electrical energy may be generated ether on land or at sea, at a location that is too distant from a consumption centre for conventional transmission lines to be used for example Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion. Means must then be found for both storing the energy and transporting it economically to a load centre.
3. Electrically propelled vehicles, which are expected to come into increasing use, also require some form of energy storage. Since the vehicle must carry its energy supply, the storage system must be readily transportable.
4. Energy storage is also required for ‘Load levelling’ in an electric utility to reduce the overall cost of generating electrical power. More efficient plants may be operated continuously at a rated power level, and the excess power during off-peak period is stored for use when the demand exceeds the base load. Thus, the use of less efficient units to meet the additional demand for power during peak load periods is eliminated.
ENERGY STORAGE METHODS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY:
Energy can be stored in various forms and the storage methods are classified on the basis of the form in which it is stored. Some of the important energy storage methods are the following:
1. Mechanical energy storage
(a) Pumped storage
(b) Compressed air storage
(c) Flywheel storage
2. Chemical energy storage
(a) Batteries storage
(b) Hydrogen storage
(c) Reversible chemical reactions storage
3. Electromagnetic energy storage
4. Electrostatic energy storage
5. Thermal (heat) energy storage
(a) Sensible heat storage
(b) Latent heat storage