scholarly journals Technologies of Engagement: How Battery Storage Technologies Shape Householder Participation in Energy Transitions

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 4384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanneke Kloppenburg ◽  
Robin Smale ◽  
Nick Verkade
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Battery Storage ◽  
Energy Community ◽  
Storage Technologies

The transition to a low-carbon energy system goes along with changing roles for citizens in energy production and consumption. In this paper we focus on how residential energy storage technologies can enable householders to contribute to the energy transition. Drawing on literature that understands energy systems as sociotechnical configurations and the theory of ‘material participation’, we examine how the introduction of home batteries affords new roles and energy practices for householders. We present qualitative findings from interviews with householders and other key stakeholders engaged in using or implementing battery storage at household and community level. Our results point to five emerging storage modes in which householders can play a role: individual energy autonomy; local energy community; smart grid integration; virtual energy community; and electricity market integration. We argue that for householders, these storage modes facilitate new energy practices such as providing grid services, trading, self-consumption, and sharing of energy. Several of the storage modes enable the formation of prosumer collectives and change relationships with other actors in the energy system. We conclude by discussing how householders also face new dependencies on information technologies and intermediary actors to organize the multi-directional energy flows which battery systems unleash. With energy storage projects currently being provider-driven, we argue that more space should be given to experimentation with (mixed modes of) energy storage that both empower householders and communities in the pursuit of their own sustainability aspirations and serve the needs of emerging renewable energy-based energy systems.

scholarly journals How much energy storage can we afford? On the need for a sunflower society, aligning demand with renewable supply

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Desing ◽  
Rolf Widmer
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Synthetic Fuels ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Available Energy ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Storage Demand ◽  
Storage Technologies

Our society has become accustomed to demanding energy whenever we want it. When decarbonising the energy system, this becomes a fundamental challenge due to the extent of energy storage required for matching the intermittent renewable supply to society's current demand. Available energy storage technologies are energetically expensive either to build - like batteries - or to operate - like synthetic fuels. Due to these energetic costs, requiring more storage leads to a slower energy transition and consequently higher climate risks. This paper explores the energy implications of adding energy storage to fast and complete energy transition pathways. Technological innovation can mitigate the problem to some extent by focusing on reduced energy intensity of storage alongside with improved turnaround efficiency. Most influential is, however, the extent of storage that we want: reducing storage demand greatly accelerates the transition and therefore reduces the induced probability of violating 1.5°C peak heating. In addition, it can immediately be implemented with readily available and scalable technologies. However, it requires a fundamental rethinking of the way we use energy in society: aligning energy demand with renewable supply as best as we can. Following the course of the sun, just like sunflowers do, we need to schedule our most energy-intensive activities around midday and summer, while reducing demand during night and winter. The sunflower society has the potential to accelerate climate action and therewith reduce climate risks.

scholarly journals Thoughts on China’s energy transition outlook

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 59-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Zhongying ◽  
Kaare Sandholt
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Security Of Supply ◽  
Transition Analysis ◽  
The Past ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Sustainable Energy System

Abstract China’s strong economic growth over the past 40 years has been followed by similar strong growth in energy consumption, based on coal. A continuation of this development is not sustainable, and China has set new ambitious targets for future energy systems development, which in reality calls for a genuine energy revolution in order to build a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system towards 2035 and 2050. This paper looks at the mechanisms behind the energy transition, analysis of a concrete case for a sustainable energy system in 2050, and points to policy measures and instruments to ensure the necessary progress in this energy transition. The case shows that it is possible for China in 2050 to reduce CO2 emission to one-third of today’s emission while at the same time maintaining economic growth, improving security of supply, air quality, and economic efficiency of the power system.

scholarly journals Thermal Energy Storage for the Complex Energy Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-190
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Network Operation ◽  
Storage Technologies

Thermal energy systems (TES) systems contribute to the on-going process leading to greater integration between different energy systems in order to achieve cleaner and more sustainable use of energy resources. This paper reviews the current literature showing the development and deployment of TES-based solutions in power grid-connected systems. These solutions integrate the energy system to gain new potential for energy management, make better use of renewable energy (RES) resources, modernize energy system infrastructure, facilitate network operation practices that include energy conversion and service delivery. The network is cost-effective, facilitating. This paper provides a complementary look at other investigations into energy storage technologies and materials for TES and TES building applications and electrical energy storage aids for network applications. The main aspects discussed are the features, parameters, and models of TES systems, the deployment of TES in variable RES systems, small networks, multi-power networks, and emerging trends for TES applications.

Designing the Electricity Market with Energy Storage Devices

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 31-43
Author(s):  
Tatiana A. VASKOVSKAYA ◽  
◽  
Boris A. KLUS ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Power Flow ◽  
Optimal Power Flow ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Storage Model ◽  
Optimal Power ◽  
Wide Range

The development of energy storage systems allows us to consider their usage for load profile leveling during operational planning on electricity markets. The paper proposes and analyses an application of an energy storage model to the electricity market in Russia with the focus on the day ahead market. We consider bidding, energy storage constraints for an optimal power flow problem, and locational marginal pricing. We show that the largest effect for the market and for the energy storage system would be gained by integration of the energy storage model into the market’s optimization models. The proposed theory has been tested on the optimal power flow model of the day ahead market in Russia of 10000-node Unified Energy System. It is shown that energy storage systems are in demand with a wide range of efficiencies and cycle costs.

Regulation of Electricity Storage, Intelligent Grids, and Clean Energies in an Open Market in Mexico

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Juan González Márquez ◽  
Margarita González Brambila
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Open Market ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Electricity Storage ◽  
Storage Technologies

This chapter analyses the role of electricity storage as an innovative strategy to attain the Mexican Government’s goals regarding carbon dioxide emission reduction and energy transition. The survey includes the analysis of the different electricity storage technologies as well as the legal framework governing electricity storage as the fifth link of the energy supply chain from a comparative perspective. The authors discuss whether energy storage is a generation or a distribution/transmission asset. The chapter also analyses Mexico’s experiences in energy storage and briefly describes the way it is regulated in other jurisdictions. Finally, the authors propose the regulation of energy storage as a separate licensed activity.

Primary Energy System Chain Security Under the Energy Transition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamah Alsayegh
Keyword(s):  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
System Security ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

Abstract This paper examines the energy transition consequences on the oil and gas energy system chain as it propagates from net importing through the transit to the net exporting countries (or regions). The fundamental energy system security concerns of importing, transit, and exporting regions are analyzed under the low carbon energy transition dynamics. The analysis is evidence-based on diversification of energy sources, energy supply and demand evolution, and energy demand management development. The analysis results imply that the energy system is going through technological and logistical reallocation of primary energy. The manifestation of such reallocation includes an increase in electrification, the rise of energy carrier options, and clean technologies. Under healthy and normal global economic growth, the reallocation mentioned above would have a mild effect on curbing the oil and gas primary energy demands growth. A case study concerning electric vehicles, which is part of the energy transition aspect, is presented to assess its impact on the energy system, precisely on the fossil fuel demand. Results show that electric vehicles are indirectly fueled, mainly from fossil-fired power stations through electric grids. Moreover, oil byproducts use in the electric vehicle industry confirms the reallocation of the energy system components' roles. The paper's contribution to the literature is the portrayal of the energy system security state under the low carbon energy transition. The significance of this representation is to shed light on the concerns of the net exporting, transit, and net importing regions under such evolution. Subsequently, it facilitates the development of measures toward mitigating world tensions and conflicts, enhancing the global socio-economic wellbeing, and preventing corruption.

Implementation of Brackish Groundwater Desalination Using Wind-Generated Electricity as a Proxy for Energy Storage: A Case Study of the Energy-Water Nexus in Texas

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Clayton ◽  
Ashlynn S. Stillwell ◽  
Michael E. Webber
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
West Texas ◽  
Storage Technologies ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

With a push toward renewable electricity generation, wind power has grown substantially in recent U.S. history and technologies continue to improve. However, the intermittency associated with wind-generated electricity without storage has limited the amounts sold on the grid. Furthermore, continental wind farms have a diurnal and seasonal variability that is mismatched with demand. To increase the broader use of wind power technologies, the development of systems that can operate intermittently during off-peak hours must be considered. Utilization of wind-generated electricity for desalination of brackish groundwater presents opportunities to increase use of a low-carbon energy source and supply alternative drinking water that is much needed in some areas. As existing water supplies dwindle and population grows, cities are looking for new water sources. Desalination of brackish groundwater provides one potential water source for inland cities. However, this process is energy-intensive, and therefore potentially incongruous with goals of reducing carbon emissions. Desalination using reverse osmosis is a high-value process that does not require continuous operation and therefore could utilize variable wind power. That is, performing desalination in an intermittent way to match wind supply can help mitigate the challenges of integrating wind into the grid while transforming a low-value product (brackish water and intermittent power) into a high-value product (treated drinking water). This option represents a potentially more economic form of mitigating wind variability than current electricity storage technologies. Also, clean energy and carbon policies under consideration by the U.S. Congress could help make this integration more economically feasible due to incentives for low-carbon energy sources. West Texas is well-suited for desalination of brackish groundwater using wind power, as both resources are abundant and co-located. Utility-scale wind resource potential is found in most of the region. Additionally, brackish groundwater is found at depths less than 150 m, making west Texas a useful geographic testbed to analyze for this work, with applicability for areas with similar climates and water supply scarcity. Implementation of a wind-powered desalination project requires both economic and geographic feasibility. Capital and operating cost data for wind turbines and desalination membranes were used to perform a thermoeconomic analysis to determine the economic feasibility. The availability of wind and brackish groundwater resources were modeled using geographic information systems tools to illustrate areas where implementation of a wind-powered desalination project is economically feasible. Areas with major populations were analyzed further in the context of existing and alternative water supplies. Utilization of wind-generated electricity for desalination presents a feasible alternative to energy storage methods. Efficiency, economics, and ease of development and operation of off-peak water treatment were compared to different energy storage technologies: pumped hydro, batteries, and compressed air energy storage. Further economics of compressed air energy storage and brackish groundwater desalination were examined with a levelized lifetime cost approach. Implementation of water desalination projects using wind-generated electricity might become essential in communities with wind and brackish groundwater resources that are facing water quality and quantity issues and as desires to implement low carbon energy sources increase. This analysis assesses the economic and geographic feasibility and tradeoffs of such projects for areas in Texas.

scholarly journals The Potential Of Simulating Energy Systems: The Multi Energy Systems Simulator Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Bottecchia ◽  
Pietro Lubello ◽  
Pietro Zambelli ◽  
Carlo Carcasci ◽  
Lukas Kranzl
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Energy System ◽  
System Modelling ◽  
Energy System Model ◽  
Urban Level

Energy system modelling is an essential practice to assist a set of heterogeneous stakeholders in the process of defining an effective and efficient energy transition. From the analysis of a set of open source energy system models, it has emerged that most models employ an approach directed at finding the optimal solution for a given set of constraints. On the contrary, a simulation model is a representation of a system that is used to reproduce and understand its behaviour under given conditions, without seeking an optimal solution. Given the lack of simulation models that are also fully open source, in this paper a new open source energy system model is presented. The developed tool, called Multi Energy Systems Simulator (MESS), is a modular, multi-node model that allows to investigate non optimal solutions by simulating the energy system. The model has been built having in mind urban level analyses. However, each node can represent larger regions allowing wider spatial scales to be be represented as well. MESS is capable of performing analysis on systems composed by multiple energy carriers (e.g. electricity, heat, fuels). In this work, the tool’s features will be presented by a comparison between MESS itself and an optimization model, in order to analyze and highlight the differences between the two approaches, the potentialities of a simulation tool and possible areas for further development.

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