Energy storage technologies, including batteries, thermal, and mechanical systems, offer key benefits: enhancing resiliency, enabling cost savings, facilitating renewable integration, and providing additional grid advantages. Coupled with advanced software for efficient energy management, these technologies contribute to a more sustainable and reliable energy landscape. Common options include pumped hydro storage, compressed air energy storage, lithium-ion batteries, and thermal energy storage systems.
Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries, originally popular for consumer products, now serve various applications from residential to grid-scale systems due to their declining costs and increasing efficiency. These systems can house multiple MWh of energy in a small footprint, making them highly space-efficient. Additionally, they have gained prominence in the electric vehicle industry.
Thermal
Thermal systems harness heating and cooling techniques to store and release energy. Examples include molten salt for solar heat storage and ice storage in buildings, cutting compressor usage while providing extended air conditioning. Various systems utilize chilled water and dispatchable hot water heaters, using excess energy to charge and subsequently discharge the storage mediums as required.
Flywheels
Flywheels store energy in rapidly spinning rotors, providing short-term high-power absorption and release. They effectively balance electricity supply and demand, responding rapidly to control signals. Also, capture braking energy in electric trains and act as power backups during grid outages, crucial in preventing critical manufacturing losses due to momentary interruptions.
Pumped Hydro Power
Pumped hydroelectric facilities dominate current energy storage, utilizing surplus power to lift water to higher reservoirs during off-peak hours. They release this water to generate electricity during peak demand. Siting these systems is challenging due to their need for specific terrain and significant space.
If you are looking for an energy storage system, we can help you choose the best system suitable for your business.
