Storage Systems Positive and Negative Aspects - Term Paper Example

ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS By (Name) Unit Professor’s name University (Name) Course Date ENERGY STORAGE SYTEMS Introduction The world today is going through a transition moment. The resources largely consumed worldwide are depleting at a high rate and there is the issue of climate change. The fossil fuels are running out and the world is keen to substitute them with other sources that can guarantee wealth and growth in the long run. Modern technological developments have offered wind turbines, solar panels and biomass plants as better alternatives. The new technologies, unlike the traditional ones offer small amounts of electricity and at times they are inconsistent (Sandia Corporation, 2016, p.5). The demand for electricity in the world keeps growing but the sun does not shine always, same to the blowing wind. It means the power supplied to the grid system should remain high because consumers require the power to run their daily activities. As such, there are instances the power production is high and consumption low, and instances where production is low and consumption is high. Storage systems are then installed so as to balance the flaws in the system as explained above(Oberhofer and Meisen, 2012, p.19). This paper highlights storage technologies developed so far, their benefits, problems, their commercial availability, and their impacts to the environment during usage and at the end of their cycle. Moreover, recommendations to be made on the most cost effective and efficient energy storage system for Solar PV and Wind Turbine systems. Storage systems positive and negative aspects Batteries are the widely used forms of electrical energy storage systems. Batteries differ depending on the chemicals used within the storage cell. The energy produced in the device is as a result of a reaction between the chemicals. Normally, two different chemicals of different loads are connected with a negative and a positive electrode. Therefore current flows from the negative electrode through a connected appliance and accepted to the positive electrode (Dunn et al., 2011, p.933). After use the batteries are recharged by renewable energy sources in order to reload the chemicals to be reused. The widely known batteries are those based on lead and acid. They are widely used as they are cheap to produce, the technology was first introduced about 150 years ago and therefore advanced in development. The technology is capable of giving a high energy output at once and easy to recycle. On the other hand, the chemicals used in batteries are corrosive if now managed well and lead is highly toxic, if not disposed off appropriately, can cause severe harm to both human beings and animals(Dunn et al., 2011, p.935). Flywheels are other forms of energy storage systems. They are made of disks that are of known amount of mass, meant to spin, and they hold kinetic energy. The disks are then attached to a motor that cats as a generator. The flywheels are capable of making 16000 rotations per minute giving a capacity of up to 25 kilowatts per hour. The energy can be absorbed and injected into the power grid almost instantly. The system is widely accepted because it has no toxic components, it has quick response time, low levels of carbon emissions and can last upto twenty years. On the other hand, the initial capital to acquire the technology is high and the storage capacity is low (Hadjipaschalis et al., 2009, p.1515; Ibrahim et al., 2008, p.1223). Energy can also be stored using Superconducting Electromagnetic Storage. The system is made of a coil, a power conditioning system and a cooling system. Energy is stored as electromagnetic fields surrounding the coil. The coil is designed from a super conducting material and kept at a very low in order to minimize electric resistance. The technology has several advantages where it has a fast response time; it is environmentally friendly, capable of partial and deep discharges. However, the technology is expensive to produce and maintain, it is not efficient due to the required cooling process and it is capable of loosing up to 12% of energy (Hadjipaschalis et al., 2009, p.1517). Engineers have also developed called the pumped storage hydroelectricity. The system is made of two water reservoirs at different elevations. During low electricity demand, water is pumped and stored in the higher reservoir as potential electricity. When the demand rises, the water is released to flow down the pipe going through the turbines to generate electricity. The power output in this case depends on the flowing rate of the water through the turbines (Chen et al., 2009, p.295; Oberhofer and Meisen, 2012, p.56). Depending on the height of elevation, Pelton Wheels and Kaplan or Francis Turbines are employed in order to increase the efficiency of the system. The turbines are reversible and therefore can pump water up the system and on the reverse generate power when water flow downwards. The technology is highly developed and capable of storing large amounts of energy. The system is highly efficient and inexpensive. Nonetheless, the initial capital during construction is high and unaffordable to some countries (Chen et al., 2009, p.295; Oberhofer and Meisen, 2012, p.56). Compressed air energy storage is another power storage technology. In the world, there are two plants, one in Germany; capable of producing 320 megawatts and can store up to 580 megawatts per hour. The other plant is in Albania and has an output of 2860 megawatts per hour in storage capacity. The technology uses electric compressor to compress air and store in underground spaces. Mainly, old salt caverns, aquifers and pore storage sites. The air is directed through turbines to generate electricity when demanded. There are a number of issues that are considered during construction of the technology. The storage systems are engineered to store energy for long periods without losses (Brandon et al., 2016, p.157; Eyer and Corey, 2010, p.26). The compressors are therefore supposed to handle high pressure and the turbines should be capable of maintaining normal output under the fluctuating temperatures and air pressure. The technology is highly efficient in energy storage, and inexpensive. Conversely, the technology is not fully developed and therefore economical for up to storage of one day (Eyer and Corey, 2010, p.27). Capacitors are also other energy storage systems widely used. They store energy in form of electric charge. They are mainly used in power quality applications especially providing transient voltage stability. Capacitors are however restricted in their use because they have low energy capacity. Researchers are working towards increasing the density of energy stored in the capacitors so that they can increase their usefulness to the energy grid system(Eyer and Corey, 2010, p.26). Capacitors are used in the circuits for various reasons. They have the capacity to store energy long after disconnection. High voltage capacitors have the ability to store charge due to electrostatic buildup. They therefore become hazardous where they can cause an electrical shock. During usage, it is advisable to discharge moments before handling in order to avoid unnecessary injuries. Both high voltage capacitors and high energy capacitors are stored with terminal shorted so that they reduce charges building up during the period (Eyer and Corey, 2010, p.26). Commercial availability of energy storage systems which can be used to support some of the renewable energy applications When looking at the above storage systems, capacitors are the most accessible or commercially available electrical energy storage systems after batteries. They operate collection electrical energy from a source through the plates. They then release when disconnected from the charging source and connected to act as the supplier of energy. Their actions are almost similar to those of batteries with a sole difference in the way they store the electric energy. Whereas batteries employ electrochemical procedures to store electrical energy, capacitors store electrical charge. Therefore, capacitors are capable of releasing stored energy at a much higher rate when compared to compare to batteries (Eyer, & Corey, 2010, p.27). Impacts on the environment during the usage of these energy systems, and the waste produced from some of these systems The energy storage systems depending on their designs, functionality and lifespan pose dangers to the environment in different ways. Lead-acid batteries are made of polypropylene plastic container. Inside the container is lead plates immersed in sulfuric acid. The contents of the battery are highly toxic and harmful to humans and the environment. Lead for instance is a very toxic metal and sulfuric acid highly corrosive. If lead-acid batteries are dumped illegally, the lead and sulfuric acid can seep and contaminate ground water. When the batteries are disposed near rivers, or near the lake, sulfuric acid and lead can cause a threat to aquatic life(Chu and Majumdar, p.15, 2012; Miller and Burke, 2008, p.23). Pumped storage hydroelectricity technology poses a number of problems to the environment. In Norway is one of the few countries around the world operating 100 percent on renewable energy. The technology of pumped storage hydroelectricity has caused most of the hilltops in the country to be blasted. Moreover, the existing valleys are flooded in a bid to build the facilities. The resultant effect is permanent destruction of the Fauna. As such, birds such as eagles and hawks have moved from regions where the facilities were built. The reservoirs are built where water is available. When dams are created, for sufficient water supply, it causes a backlash to communities depending on the water source at the lower side of the river (Ibrahim et al., 2008, p.1230) Compressed air energy storage system also has a number of concerns. At time goes by and as the technology is embraces worldwide, there are a varietyissues it will pose to the environment. The initial installation requires digging deep trenches or hole to accommodate the storage containers. Digging the holes destabilize the ecological components of the affected area. Habitats of living organisms, both micro and macro is affected. Some of the organisms are killed in the process affecting their lifeline. Piping and creation of access points often lead to destruction of vegetation. As such, at times rare species are destroyed and it might also cause soil erosion(Ibrahim et al., 2008, p.1231; Zamora and Srivastava, 2010, p.67). Moreover, the machines used to construct the facilities largely depend on fossil fuels to operate. Environmental impact comes in form of oil spillage on the ground. Though, the affected areas are usually small in area (Turner, 2013, p.16). During movement, the vibrations of the machines might cause defragmentation of the surface destabilizing the way of life of the species living around the area. During the operation period, the pressurized air is generally heat so that when channeled through the turbines do not freeze them. Due to the nature of the storage materials largely made of materials that are metallic in nature, they often conduct heat and disseminate to the immediate environment. This could cause death to living organisms living within the area (Turner, 2013, 10, p.14). Cost-effective recommendations for an efficient energy storage system for solar-PV and Wind-Turbines systems There are a number of technologies showing the potential to offer long term solution of energy storage. They are arguably cheap and have proven to be better than the gas generation previously thought would bridge the gap. In German the way to go is providing chemical means of renewable energy storage. Projects are in place using electrolysis to convert excess output from wind, solar and other energy generations to hydrogen and wind. The hydrogen can be stored in caverns and later used to fuel vehicles, converted to methane and connected to the gas grid or direct heat and power production (Eyer, & Corey, 2010, p.6). Compressed air energy is also considered as the other better alternative that of storing electrical energy from renewable sources. The storage area is underground and is capable of storing wind energy output and can also act as power banks for solar systems. Some of the considerations in employing the technology entails having the compressed air energy storage system help wind energy play the role if a flexible gas-propelled power station. It should be able to provide base-load to the grid system and can also operate for peak generation when circumstances demand (Ibrahim et al., 2008, p.1242). The compressed air energy storage should be able to store energy during windy days and used in later days. As such, the technology apes gas turbines and is largely viewed as an equal to the combined-cycle gas turbines. It is believed that the system is capable of meeting the demands of the power grid and is able to accommodate a number of issues that are seen in other storage systems such as the ability to meet the frequency of demand. Hence, the technology stands a chance to be factored especially when constructing wind propelled energy production systems (Hadjipaschalis et al., 2009, p.1520). The pumped hydro is the so far the widely recommended form or storage technology of renewable energy today. The technology is currently in use in Australia although there is a new dynamic where the technology should be away or should not interfere with the natural flow of water. Individuals, who champion the idea, intend to use natural contours to develop reservoirs at varied heights with the sole purpose of storing energy (Sandia Corporation, 2016, p.23). The technology however limits the need to have power from wind farms. Suggestions put forth propose the technology to be built near coastlines so that they can pump sea water to the top of coastal cliffs as observed in a pilot project in Japan. There are however concerns on the ability of the technology to withstand the changes in demand. The concern is in relation to a study that was done showing that hydro pumps were once used to support coal and nuclear energy. Findings indicate that the system was not able to pump water up at the required rate that could assist in meeting the demand(Sandia Corporation, 2016, p.23). References Brandon, N.P., Edge, J.S., Aunedi, M., Barbour, E.R., Bruce, P.G., Chakrabarti, B.K., Esterle, T., Somerville, J.W., Ding, Y.L., Fu, C., others, 2016. UK research needs in grid scale energy storage technologies. Energy SuperStore2016. Chen, H., Cong, T.N., Yang, W., Tan, C., Li, Y., Ding, Y., 2009. Progress in electrical energy storage system: A critical review. Prog. Nat. Sci. 19, 291–312. Chu, S., Majumdar, A., 2012. 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