Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage: A technology overview
TL;DR: A literature survey on the Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage technology is presented with the aim of analysing its actual configurations and state of development in this article, which is the most promising one due to its long cycle life, no geographical limitations, no need of fossil fuel streams and capability of being integrated into conventional fossil-fuelled power plants.
Abstract: A large penetration of variable intermittent renewable energy sources into the electric grid is stressing the need of installing large-scale Energy Storage units. Pumped Hydro Storage, Compressed Air Energy Storage and Flow Batteries are the commercially available large-scale energy storage technologies. However, these technologies suffer of geographical constrains (such as Pumped Hydro Storage and Compressed Air Energy Storage), require fossil fuel streams (like Compressed Air Energy Storage) or are characterised by low cycle life (Flow Batteries). For this reason, there is the need of developing new large-scale Energy Storage Technologies which do not suffer of the above-mentioned drawbacks. Among the in-developing large-scale Energy Storage Technologies, Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage or Pumped Heat Energy Storage is the most promising one due to its long cycle life, no geographical limitations, no need of fossil fuel streams and capability of being integrated into conventional fossil-fuelled power plants. Based on these evidences, in the present work, a literature survey on the Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage technology is presented with the aim of analysing its actual configurations and state of development.
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30 May 2016
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the importance of Germany as a unique market, development platform and export hub for energy storage systems, and open up a vista of opportunities for companies looking to cooperate with German part-of-the-art, become involved in demonstration projects, and expand through direct investment.
Abstract: Energy storage systems are an integral part of Germany’s Energy Transition (Energiewende). While the need for energy storage is growing across Europe, Germany remains the lead target market and the first choice for companies seeking to enter this developing industry. It stands out as a unique market, development platform and export hub. Germany Trade & Invest helps open up a vista of opportunities for companies looking to cooperate with German part ners, become involved in demonstration projects, and expand through direct investment. Video: Energy Storage in Germany
215 citations
TL;DR: This paper is a review of this emerging and innovative Carnot battery technology, including a market analysis, and tries to define objective performance indicators for this technology.
Abstract: The growth of renewable energy requires flexible, low-cost and efficient electrical storage to balance the mismatch between energy supply and demand. The Carnot battery buffers electrical energy by storing thermal energy (charging cycle mode) from a resistive heater or a heat pump system when the electricity production is higher than the demand. When electricity demand is higher than the production, the Carnot battery generates power from the stored thermal energy (power cycle mode). This paper is a review of this emerging and innovative technology, including a market analysis. First, the different possible technologies and configurations of Carnot batteries are described. This includes charging cycles, power cycles and thermal energy storage systems. Furthermore, a state-of-the-art of the existing prototypes in the world is given. The performance indicators for this technology are unclear, and this paper tries to define objective performance indicators. Finally, all the described technologies are compared, and conclusions are drawn to help engineers select the optimal technology for a given case.
113 citations
12 Mar 2021
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the thermodynamic principles upon which these thermo-mechanical energy storage (TMES) technologies are based are discussed and a synopsis of recent progress in their development is presented, assessing their ability to provide reliable and cost-effective solutions.
Abstract: The share of electricity generated by intermittent renewable energy sources is increasing (now at 26% of global electricity generation) and the requirements of affordable, reliable and secure energy supply designate grid-scale storage as an imperative component of most energy transition pathways. The most widely deployed bulk energy storage solution is pumped-hydro energy storage (PHES), however, this technology is geographically constrained. Alternatively, flow batteries are location independent and have higher energy densities than PHES, but remain associated with high costs and short lifetimes, which highlights the importance of developing and utilizing additional larger-scale, longer-duration and long-lifetime energy storage alternatives. In this paper, we review a class of promising bulk energy storage technologies based on thermo-mechanical principles, which includes: compressed-air energy storage, liquid-air energy storage and pumped-thermal electricity storage. The thermodynamic principles upon which these thermo-mechanical energy storage (TMES) technologies are based are discussed and a synopsis of recent progress in their development is presented, assessing their ability to provide reliable and cost-effective solutions. The current performance and future prospects of TMES systems are examined within a unified framework and a thermo-economic analysis is conducted to explore their competitiveness relative to each other as well as when compared to PHES and battery systems. This includes carefully selected thermodynamic and economic methodologies for estimating the component costs of each configuration in order to provide a detailed and fair comparison at various system sizes. The analysis reveals that the technical and economic characteristics of TMES systems are such that, especially at higher discharge power ratings and longer discharge durations, they can offer promising performance (round-trip efficiencies higher than 60%) along with long lifetimes (>30 years), low specific costs (often below 100 $ kWh−1), low ecological footprints and unique sector-coupling features compared to other storage options. TMES systems have significant potential for further progress and the thermo-economic comparisons in this paper can be used as a benchmark for their future evolution.
85 citations
TL;DR: This paper reviews the current literature that refers to the development and exploitation of TES-based solutions in systems connected to the electrical grid, and offers a complementary view with respect to other reviews that deal with energy storage technologies, materials for TES applications, TES for buildings, and contributions of electrical energy storage for grid applications.
Abstract: Thermal energy systems (TES) contribute to the on-going process that leads to higher integration among different energy systems, with the aim of reaching a cleaner, more flexible and sustainable use of the energy resources. This paper reviews the current literature that refers to the development and exploitation of TES-based solutions in systems connected to the electrical grid. These solutions facilitate the energy system integration to get additional flexibility for energy management, enable better use of variable renewable energy sources (RES), and contribute to the modernisation of the energy system infrastructures, the enhancement of the grid operation practices that include energy shifting, and the provision of cost-effective grid services. This paper offers a complementary view with respect to other reviews that deal with energy storage technologies, materials for TES applications, TES for buildings, and contributions of electrical energy storage for grid applications. The main aspects addressed are the characteristics, parameters and models of the TES systems, the deployment of TES in systems with variable RES, microgrids, and multi-energy networks, and the emerging trends for TES applications.
75 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review is conducted on artificial intelligence applications in regards to optimisation system configuration, and energy control strategy, along with the applicability of different energy storage technologies.
Abstract: Energy storage technology plays a role in improving new energy consumption capacities, ensuring the stable and economic operation of power systems, and promoting the widespread application of renewable energy technologies. Several new developments, ideas, approaches, and technologies have been introduced into this area from fields including materials, knowledge manage, electricity, control, and artificial intelligence. Based on the technical characteristics of renewable energy, this study reviews the roles, classifications, design optimisation methods, and applications of energy storage systems in power systems. First, we introduce the different types of energy storage technologies and applications, e.g. for utility-based power generation, transportation, heating, and cooling. Second, we briefly introduce the states of an energy storage system, along with its operation processes and energy storage capacity. Third, a comprehensive review is conducted on artificial intelligence applications in regards to optimisation system configuration, and energy control strategy, along with the applicability of different energy storage technologies. Finally, several issues and insights are discussed, offering new inspiration and concepts for the future study of integrated energy storage systems.
69 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the history of thermal energy storage with solid-liquid phase change has been carried out and three aspects have been the focus of this review: materials, heat transfer and applications.
4,019 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of electrical energy storage technologies for stationary applications is presented, with particular attention paid to pumped hydroelectric storage, compressed air energy storage, battery, flow battery, fuel cell, solar fuel, superconducting magnetic energy storage and thermal energy storage.
Abstract: Electrical energy storage technologies for stationary applications are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to pumped hydroelectric storage, compressed air energy storage, battery, flow battery, fuel cell, solar fuel, superconducting magnetic energy storage, flywheel, capacitor/supercapacitor, and thermal energy storage. Comparison is made among these technologies in terms of technical characteristics, applications and deployment status.
3,031 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive and clear picture of the state-of-the-art technologies available, and where they would be suited for integration into a power generation and distribution system is provided in this article.
2,790 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the phase change materials (PCM) and their application in energy storage is presented, where the main advantages of encapsulation are providing large heat transfer area, reduction of the PCMs reactivity towards the outside environment and controlling the changes in volume of the storage materials as phase change occurs.
2,636 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the main characteristics of different electricity storage techniques and their field of application (permanent or portable, long- or short-term storage, maximum power required, etc.).
Abstract: Electricity generated from renewable sources, which has shown remarkable growth worldwide, can rarely provide immediate response to demand as these sources do not deliver a regular supply easily adjustable to consumption needs. Thus, the growth of this decentralized production means greater network load stability problems and requires energy storage, generally using lead batteries, as a potential solution. However, lead batteries cannot withstand high cycling rates, nor can they store large amounts of energy in a small volume. That is why other types of storage technologies are being developed and implemented. This has led to the emergence of storage as a crucial element in the management of energy from renewable sources, allowing energy to be released into the grid during peak hours when it is more valuable. The work described in this paper highlights the need to store energy in order to strengthen power networks and maintain load levels. There are various types of storage methods, some of which are already in use, while others are still in development. We have taken a look at the main characteristics of the different electricity storage techniques and their field of application (permanent or portable, long- or short-term storage, maximum power required, etc.). These characteristics will serve to make comparisons in order to determine the most appropriate technique for each type of application.
1,822 citations