Technologies > Energy Storage Systems
Energy Storage Systems
Optimize the flow of energy
There are many different types of energy storage systems, including:
- Mechanical energy storage systems: which store energy in the form of kinetic energy, such as in flywheels or pumped hydroelectric systems.
- Thermal energy storage systems, which store energy in the form of heat, such as in molten salt storage systems or compressed air energy storage systems.
- Chemical energy storage systems, which store energy in the form of electrical charge, such as in batteries or hydrogen fuel cells.
- Electrical energy storage systems, which store energy in the for of electrical charge, such as in supercapacitors or superconducting magnetic energy storage systems.
Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)
Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is a type of energy storage technology that uses superconducting materials to store electrical energy in form of a magnetic field. Superconducting materials are materials that can conduct electricity with zero resistance, meaning that they can transmit electrical current without losing energy due to resistance.
When electrical current is passed through the coil, it creates a magnetic field that is stored within the coil. The energy stored in the magnetic field can then be released back into the electrical grid when needed.
SMES systems has several potential advantages over types of energy storage technologies. They have a high energy density, meaning they can store a lot of energy in a small space, and they can also release large amounts of power quickly, making them well-suited for applications that require fast response time. They also have a long lifespan and are relatively maintenance-free. However, they do require cryogenic cooling systems to maintain the low temperatures needed for the superconducting materials to operate properly, which can add complexity and cost to the system.
In general, the main uses of this superconductor are:
- Power quality on the client or generator side.
- Voltage control and reactive power compensation and improve the transient stability of the network.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).
High round trip efficiency
90-95%.
Unlimited
Number of charge/discharge cycles.
High power
Only limited by the electronics and electrical isolation.
Very high response time
Few ms.
No critical raw materials
Only uses standard structural materials and superconductors only require two tens of gram/km of Y or Gd, which are not dispersed and can be recovered after 30 years of service.
Symbiosis
SMES can take advantage of external resources as cooling in industrial polygons, hospitals, liquid nitrogen carriers, etc. It allows reducing the cooling and wire investment cost and enhancing its efficiency.
Hybridisation
Can be work together with other large capacity energy storage system improving their availability speed and their peak power.
Very robust
Can be overloaded as much as the electronics allows.
Fast Response energy storage systems (Flywheel)
CYCLOMED collaborates with CIEMAT developing fast response energy systems (SMES, flywheels, and supercapacitors) for different applications. These systems are characterized by their high power density which allows them to quickly respond to energy fluctuations.
A flywheel energy storage system (ESS) is a type of energy storage device to store and release electrical energy. The flywheel is mounted in a vacuum chamber and is connected to a motor/generator. The key components of flywheel energy storage (FES) are a rotating cylinder, bearings, a generator or motor, and a container to accommodate the flywheel. When electricity is supplied to the motor/generator, it causes the flywheel to spin up to a high speed.
In general, the main uses of flywheel are:
- Frequency regulation for the grid.
- Output stabilization of renewable energy plants.
- Cost-effective solution for transit energy recovery like railway.
- Energy recycling in high power cranes or draglines.
Very high-power density
High efficiency
Ability to be built in a wide range of sizes
The availability of output energy directly in mechanical form and conceptual simplicity.
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