Jacques Ruer

Bio: Jacques Ruer is an academic researcher from Saipem. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thermal energy & Electric generator. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 14 publications receiving 335 citations.

Installation and Method for Storing and Returning Electrical Energy

Abstract: An installation for storing and returning electrical energy having first and second enclosures containing a gas and porous refractory materials suitable for transferring heat by contact between said porous refractory materials and a gas flowing through said enclosures, and a compressor and an expander for the gas flowing in pipes between each of the ends of an enclosure connected to an end of the other enclosure. Methods are also disclosed for storing electrical energy in the form of heat energy in which an installation of the invention is used, and for a method of returning electrical energy from heat energy stored by a method according to the invention. The electrical energy is stored in the form of heat within masses of refractory material, and the stored thermal potential energy is returned in the form of electrical energy.

Installation and methods for storing and methods for storing and restoring electrical energy using a piston-type gas compression and expansion unit

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation and to methods for storing and returning electrical energy, comprising first and second lagged enclosures containing porous refractory material through which a gas is caused to flow by causing the gas to flow through first and second compression/expansion groups interposed in the pipe circuit between the top and bottom ends respectively of said first and second enclosures, each compression/expansion group comprising a piston moved in translation in a cylinder, each group operating in a different mode, either in compression mode or in expansion mode, one of the two compression/expansion groups receiving a gas at a temperature that is higher than the other group, such that in compression mode it is driven by an electric motor that consumes electrical energy for storage E 1 , and in a thermodynamic engine mode it drives an electricity generator enabling the electrical energy (E R ) to be returned. The electrical energy is stored in the form of heat within masses of refractory substances, and said stored potential thermal energy is returned in the form of electrical energy.

Energy storage in the energy transition context: A technology review

Abstract: Concerns about climate change as well as fossil fuel usage restrictions motivate the energy transition to a sustainable energy sector requiring very high penetration level of renewable energy sources in the World energy matrix, including those heavily hydrocarbon-based as fuel for transportation. Some of these renewable sources have an uncontrollable output and managing the variability is challenging. The current upward trend in renewables participation will demand even more flexibility from the energy systems. Among several options for increasing flexibility, energy storage (ES) is a promising one considering the variability of many renewable sources. The purpose of this study is to present a comprehensive updated review of ES technologies, briefly address their applications and discuss the barriers to ES deployment. Methodology involves the description and the analysis of ES many existing and developing technologies. ES applications are discussed briefly using logistic and parametric classification logics. As result of this study, it will be pointed out that no ES technology outstands simultaneously in all technical characteristics and consequently, selection should be driven on a case base analysis. Economic feasibility of ES business models and establishment of a well-suited regulatory environment are major issues to unlock ES deployment. Regarding energy transition, Power-to-Gas, Power-to-Liquids and Solar-to-Fuel technologies are very promising and further studies about these technologies are required to better understand their possibilities and how to overcome the barriers to their practical usage.

Compressed air energy storage system utilizing two-phase flow to facilitate heat exchange

Abstract: A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

A review of pumped hydro energy storage development in significant international electricity markets

Abstract: The global effort to decarbonise electricity systems has led to widespread deployments of variable renewable energy generation technologies, which in turn has boosted research and development interest in bulk Electrical Energy Storage (EES). However despite large increases in research funding, many electricity markets with increasingly large proportions of variable renewable generation have seen little actual bulk EES deployment. While this can be partly attributed to the need for technological developments, it is also due to the challenge of fairly rewarding storage operators for the range of services that storage provides to the wider network, especially in markets that have undergone significant restructuring and liberalisation. Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage (PHES) is the overwhelmingly established bulk EES technology (with a global installed capacity around 130 GW) and has been an integral part of many markets since the 1960s. This review provides an historical overview of the development of PHES in several significant electrical markets and compares a number of mechanisms that can reward PHES in different international market frameworks. As well as providing up-to-date information about PHES, a primary motivation for this work is to provide an overview about the types of rewards available to bulk EES for the wider storage community including investors, technology developers and policy-makers. Observing that bulk EES projects seem to be unattractive investments for the private sector, the paper also includes a brief discussion in terms of public sector investment.