The Department of Energy has a major initiative to invest in modernizing the energy grid. There are four major challenges related to widespread deployment of energy storage:
1. Cost competitive energy storage technologies.
Life-Cycle cost and performance:
a. round-trip efficiency
b. energy density
c. cycle life
d. capacity fade
2. Third party validation of the reliability and safety.
Risk Mitigation
a. Performance
3. Fair regulatory environment.
Easing Hurdles
a. Institutional
b. Regulatory
4. Industry acceptance.
Performance
a. Reliability
b. Safety
The future for energy storage in the U.S. should address the following issues: energy storage technologies should be cost competitive (unsubsidized) with other technologies providing similar services; energy storage should be recognized for its value in providing multiple benefits simultaneously; and ultimately, storage technology should seamlessly integrate with existing systems and sub-systems leading to its ubiquitous deployment.
Energy Storage Technologies
1. Grid Stabilization
2. Voltage Support
3. Load Leveling
4. Pumped Hydro
5. Compressed Air Storage
6. A Combination of Battery Technologies
7. Flywheels
8. Electrochemical Capacitors
9. Energy Management
10. Backup Power
11. Software- Immediate Feedback Loop.
12. Sensors
13. Smart Appliances
14. Processors
15. Generators
16. Demand Management
Energy storage can reduce the need for major new transmission grid construction upgrades as well as augment the performance of existing transmission and distribution assets.
DOE estimates that 70% of transmission lines are 25 years or older, 70% of power transformers are 25 years or older, and 60% of circuit breakers are more than 30 years old.4 Extending the capability of the transmission grid—for example by pre-positioning storage on the load side of transmission constraint points—makes the grid more secure, reliable, and responsive.
Additionally, distributed storage can reduce line-congestion and line-loss by moving electricity at off-peak times, reducing the need for overall generation during peak times. By reducing peak loading (and overloading) of transmission and distribution lines, storage can extend the life of existing infrastructure.
Moreover, as the nation moves towards the electrification of the transportation sector, energy storage for vehicles, and the integration of energy between vehicles and the grid, will be critical.
The focus on storage is not only for the deployment of batteries in vehicles, but also for potential second-life applications for electric
vehicle (EV) batteries.
According to an Information Handling Services, Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA) report, the energy storage business could grow from $200 million in 2012 to a $19 billion industry by 2017.
Storage technology can help contribute to overall system reliability as large quantities of wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources continue to be added to the nation’s generation assets, furthering the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security.
For micro- and smart-grid technologies, storage can provide redundancy options in areas with limited transmission capacity, transmission disruptions, or volatile demand and supply profiles.
A strong storage market will foster a robust manufacturing base of advanced electric energy storage devices in the U.S., and this capability can be leveraged for export opportunities in the robust foreign market for storage. Further, by enabling more efficient adoption of renewable energy sources in the U.S.
Unsolicited grants are a great way for businesses to get funding support for innovative energy grid technologies.
Click: CleanTech Grants
Joshua Mosshart BIO
Source: Department of Energy
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