Unit I

Elec

Electrical Energy Storage

Technologies
Definition of Electrical Energy Storage(EES)
 Electrical Energy storage refers to a process of
converting electrical energy from a power
network into a form that can be stored for
converting back to electrical energy when
needed.
 Electrical Energy storage (EES) process enables
electricity to be produced at times of either
 low demand,
 low generation cost or
 from intermittent energy sources and to be used at times of
 high demand ,
 high generation cost or
 when no other generation means is available.
POWER SYSTEM
Base Load and Peak Load
 Importance of EES
 1) EES reduces electricity costs by storing electricity
obtained at off-peak times when its price is lower, for use
at peak times instead of electricity bought then at higher
prices.
 2) In order to improve the reliability of the power
supply, EES systems support users when power network
failures occur due to natural disasters.
 3) To maintain and improve power quality, i.e. frequency
and voltage.
 Characteristics of Electricity
 1)Electricity is consumed at the same time as it is
generated.
 The proper amount of electricity must always be provided
to meet the varying demand.
 An imbalance between supply and demand will damage
the stability and quality (voltage and frequency) of the
power supply.
 2)The places where electricity is generated are usually
located far from the locations where it is consumed.
 Generators and consumers are connected through power
grids and form a power system.
 In function of the locations and the quantities of power
supply and demand, much power flow may happen to be
concentrated into a specific transmission line and this may
cause congestion.
Energy Storage
 Demand for electricity in an utility system varies hourly, daily
as well from season to season.
 Supply is fixed(Ideal)
Solutions
 Interconnection of power networks
 Use newer power plants for base load and older plants for peak
load generation.
 Construct not so expensive peak power plants.
 Use Energy Storage Systems.
Power Grid Challenges-ESS Benefits
ESS Applications in Power Network
The Roles of Electrical Energy Storage(EES)

 High Generation Cost during Peak-Demand Periods

 Need for Continuous and Flexible supply
 Long distance between Generation and Consumption
 Congestion in Power Grids
 Transmission by Cable
High Generation Cost
During Peak-Demand
Periods
Factors influence Electricity prices
 Fuels: Fuel costs can vary, especially during periods of
high demand.
 High electricity demand can increase demand for fuel,
such as natural gas, which can result in higher prices for
the fuel and, in turn, higher costs to generate electricity.

 Power plants: Each power plant has construction,

maintenance, and operating costs.
 Transmission and Distribution system
 The electricity transmission and distribution systems that
deliver electricity have maintenance costs, which include
repairing damage to the systems from accidents or extreme
weather conditions.
 Regulations:
 In some states, public service/utility commissions fully
regulate prices, while other states have a combination of
unregulated prices (for generators) and regulated prices (for
transmission and distribution).
 Weather conditions: Rain and snow provide water for
low-cost hydropower generation.

 Wind can provide low-cost electricity generation from

wind turbines when wind speeds are favorable.

 However, extreme temperatures can increase the demand

for electricity, especially for cooling, and demand can
drive prices up.
 Peak demand is the greatest need for electricity during a
certain time period.
 In any competitive market, as demand for a product
increases, so does its price also increases, electricity is no
different.
 During times of high electricity demand, companies have
to use more costly forms of generation to produce power
to meet consumers needs. This increases the price that
your electricity provider pays for electricity.
 Electricity prices are usually highest in the summer
 The cost to supply electricity changes minute by minute.
However, most consumers pay rates based on the seasonal
cost of electricity.
 Changes in prices generally reflect variations in electricity
demand, availability of generation sources, fuel costs, and
power plant availability.
 Prices are usually highest in the summer when total
demand is high because more expensive generation
sources are added to meet the increased demand.
 Electricity prices vary by type of customer
 Electricity prices are usually highest for residential and
commercial consumers because it costs more to distribute
electricity to them.
 Industrial consumers use more electricity and can receive
it at higher voltages, so supplying electricity to these
customers is more efficient and less expensive.
 The price of electricity to industrial customers is generally
close to the wholesale price of electricity.
 Electricity prices vary by locality

 Prices vary by locality based on the availability of power

plants and fuels, local fuel costs, and pricing regulations.
 Roles of Electrical Energy Storage(EES)
1) High generation cost during peak- demand periods
Power demand varies from time to time and the price of
electricity changes accordingly.
The price for electricity at peak- demand periods is
higher and at off-peak periods lower. This is caused by
differences in the cost of generation in each period.
Load Curve - Power Demand Vs Time
 During peak periods when electricity consumption is
higher than average, power suppliers must complement
the base-load power plants (coal-fired and nuclear) with
costly forms of generation such as oil gas fired generators.

 During the off-peak period when less electricity is

consumed, costly types of generation can be stopped. This
is a chance for owners of EES systems to benefit
financially.
 From the consumers point of view, EES can lower
electricity costs since it can store electricity bought at low
off- peak prices and they can use it during peak periods.

 Consumers who charge batteries during off-peak hours

may also sell the electricity to utilities or to other
consumers during peak hours.
Need for Continuous and Flexible
supply
 Need for Continuous and Flexible supply

 If the proper amount of electricity cannot be provided at

the time when consumers need it, the power quality will
deteriorate and at worst this may lead to a service
interruption.
 To meet changing power consumption appropriate
amounts of electricity should be generated continuously,
relying on an accurate forecast of the variations in
demand.
 Power generators therefore need two essential functions in
addition to the basic generating function.
 First, generating plants are required to be equipped with
a “kilowatt function”, to generate sufficient power (kW)
when necessary.
 Secondly, some generating facilities must possess a
frequency control function, fine-tuning the output so as to
follow minute-by-minute and second-by- second
fluctuations in demand.
 Renewable energy facilities such as solar and wind do not
possess both a kW function and a frequency control
function unless they are suitably modified.
 EES is expected to be able to compensate for such
difficulties with a kW function and a frequency control
function.
 Pumped hydro has been widely used to provide a large
amount of power when generated electricity is in short
supply.
 Stationary batteries have also been utilized to support
renewable energy output with their quick response
capability.
 Long Distance between
Generation and Consumption
Long Distance between Generation and Consumption
 Consumer’s locations are often far from power generating
facilities, and this sometimes leads to higher chances of an
interruption in the power supply.

 Network failures due to natural disasters (e.g. lightning,

hurricanes) and artificial causes (e.g. overload, operational
accidents) stop electricity supply and potentially influence
wide areas.
EES will help users when power network failures occur
by continuing to supply power to consumers.
 A UPS system, built on EES and located at a customer’s
site, can keep supplying electricity to critical loads even
when voltage sag occurs due to, for example, a direct
lightning strike on distribution lines.
 A portable battery may also serve as an emergency
resource to provide power to electrical appliances.
Congestion in Power Grids
 Congestion in Power Grids
 This issue is a consequence of the previous problem, a
long distance between generation and consumption.
 The power flow in transmission grids is determined by the
supply and demand of electricity. In the process of
balancing supply and demand power congestion can occur.
EES established at appropriate sites such as substations at
the ends of heavily-loaded lines can mitigate congestion,
by storing electricity while transmission lines maintain
enough capacity and by using it when lines are not
available due to congestion.
This approach also helps utilities to postpone or
suspend the reinforcement of power networks.
Transmission by Cable
 Transmission by Cable

 Electricity always needs cables for transmission, and

supplying electricity to mobile applications and to isolated
areas presents difficulties.
EES systems such as batteries can solve this problem with
their mobile and charge/discharge capabilities.
 In remote places without a power grid connection
recharging an electric vehicle may present a challenge,

but EES can help realize an environmentally

friendly transport system without using conventional
combustion engines.