3 Main Types of Energy Storage Methods in 2022

Speaking to the energy storage systems, grid-based energy storage tackles one of the major difficulties confronting renewable energy– renewable sources are not always accessible, when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. Energy storage systems enable energy to be stored and released during sunny and windy seasons. Although it may appear to be a simple notion, there are several methods for storing energy.

 

Pumped Heat Electrical Storage

Pumped heat electrical storage (PHES) systems use an alternative thermal energy source to store electrical energy. One of the main advantages of pumped heat electrical storage is its low cost and universal availability. Another advantage is that pumped heat electrical storage is flexible in its dispatch, which allows it to serve different needs and value streams.

 

In addition, the other benefit of pumped heat electrical storage is that it flattens load variations on the power grid, which in turn allows thermal power stations to operate at their optimum efficiency. This reduces the need for costly peaking power plants, which are typically designed to meet peak demand and maximize thermal efficiency.

 

However, compared to battery storage, it has several disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the fact that the energy stored decreases over time due to heat losses. Furthermore, some technologies are still in development stage. However, both pumped heat electrical storage and battery storage are essential for the global renewable energy networks.

 

Compressed Air Storage

Compressed Air Storage (CAES) is a way to store energy without using natural gas or electricity. The concept of CAES was developed by E.R.B. in the early 1990s. It was first used in the US during the McIntosh plant project, which was the first plant of its type to be operational.

 

One of the most promising technologies is a method that uses compressed air to store energy for long periods. This technology has numerous advantages, such as a smaller footprint than traditional storage systems, and a lower cost over time. It is also easy to design, because a tank only requires a small amount of space.

 

Compressed air energy storage systems can provide more than 100 megawatts of electrical power in a single unit. This method can also be used for renewable energy sources and standby power. The key to making a CAES commercially viable is to find a storage source that can handle the energy. For example, install a CAES system can be a disused salt mine, because the salt is so dense and airtight, it is ideal for storing compressed air.

 

Flywheel Energy Storage

Flywheel energy storage systems are a green power alternative that can help data centers meet their energy requirements. These energy storage systems are compact, environmentally friendly, and can last for up to 20 years. They are able to charge and discharge at high rates and have no moving parts, which reduces maintenance costs and improves critical load uptime.

 

Flywheel energy storage systems store electric energy as kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is defined as the “energy of motion”. The flywheel’s rotating mass converts kinetic energy to electricity, and the energy is released. The system is capable of exceeding the energy storage capabilities of chemical batteries. Flywheels have been used for millennia to power everything from spindles to sharpening stones.

 

The flywheel energy storage system market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to rising demand for distributed power generation. Moreover, the adoption of renewable energy is increasing, and flywheels help operators store excess renewable energy so that they can use it for local power generation and grid power during peak demand periods.