Energy Storage
Contents
Basics
- The storage of electrical energy
- Most often by conversion to another form of energy, for later conversion back to electricity
Methods
Chemical
- Power-to-X (Mainly Power-to-Fuels and Power-to-Chemicals )
Direct-Electrochemical
Physical
- Compressed Air Storage
- Cryogenic Liquid Energy Storage
- FES
- Gravity Battery
- Liquid Air Storage
- Power-to-Heat
- Pumped Hydroelectric Storage
Marcin Analysis / OSE Plans
Regenerative and Efficient Options
On the issue of electrical energy
Carbon gels suitable for use in ultracapacitors may be possible to make but it is not trivial. The gel is a network of extremely fine fibers, these need to be coated with an insulating material then surrounded buy a conductive fluid (can be an organic fluid or water with solutes), the aerogel forms one electrode and the electrolyte the other, similar to an aluminum or tantalum electrolytic capacitor but with even higher surface area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_double-layer_capacitor says a basic one can be made with activated carbon somehow, activated carbon is not only cheap on the order of a couple dollars a kg, but it can be made from biomass or a wide range of sorts, nut shells, peach pits, maybe even grass. They also last forever.
Pumped water storage more dependent on the topography, if it is right then the water tower is easy, if it is not then it could be substantially expensive.
Pumped water efficiency would be 65% or so at most (electric motors are 70% tops) unless connected directly to a shaft e.g. shaft of steam engine in which case might be 90%.
Supercapacitors, can be combined with batteries to d short term load leveling, reduces the charge/discharge cycling on the battery and increases energy efficiency (since they are quite efficient).
Compressed energy storage, thermodynamic reversibility might be a problem. Can the heat of compression not be stored in a regenerator?
Solar Option
Direct solar power is efficient. Solar thermal and Saturated Water storage are in OSE's view the most appropriate, based on abundance and efficiency.
OSE proposes energy storage via a combined system consisting of solar thermal concentrators followed by PV heating assist to generate saturated water at 200/200 PSI/degrees C.
This is one of those options that are completely open source and nonstrategic, hence will not likely appeal to venture capitalists, as anyone can do it. The cost and performance are superior to battery storage when lifecycle stewardship is considered.
Thermal systems provide the necessary hot water, and PV is used to top it off. PV on cloudy days can also be used for topping off. Thermal energy is converted to electricity via a steam cycle for night time energy storage, just like in modern power plants.
Solar Hydrogen Option
Solar hydrogen is another abundant and nonstrategic resource. Storage vessels, high pressure pumps, and hydrogen burning engines are all proven technologies. These can result in cost effective hydrogen storage for electricity generation. The solar hydrogen economy can be implemented today.
Regenerative Options
Biomass to charcoal, compressed hydrogen, and saturated water appear to be the best energy storage options for night time power. All of these sources can be carbon neutral.
See Also/Merge With
Internal Links
- Round Trip Efficiency
- Self Discharge Rate
- Energy Storage as a Service
- Hydrogen Storage
- Methane Storage
- Thermal Storage
- This Section of the "Construction Sets" Page that is entitled "Energy Storage + Generation Stuff"
