Distributed energy storage systems for power networks

Abstract

The cost to the environment and the concern over source security are the two main motivations toward exploring new ways to meet energy demand. It will be fruitful if electrical energy can be stored at times of low load demand when the unit cost of energy production is low and the impact to the environment is minimal. The stored energy can then be released at times of high demand. Also, the Sun energy that is available to us almost every day is a good source of energy that can be captured and stored for reliable and controlled usage to lighten the electrical load from the grid.

In this report, the various types of energy storage technologies are being reviewed and a summary comparison between their efficiencies and disadvantages are presented. The focus of this report is to study in detail the Thermal Energy Storage Technology and its principal applications through Cool Thermal Energy Storage Systems and Solar Thermal Energy Storage Systems.

For the Cool Thermal Energy Storage Systems, the principal applications such as Chilled Water Storage Systems, Ice Storage Systems and Eutectic Storage are discussed. And subsequently, a case study on the implementation of Chilled Water Storage System in Nanyang Technological University, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, will be presented.

For the Solar Thermal Energy Storage Systems, the principal applications such as Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Systems, Salt Gradient Solar Pond (SGSP) and Solar Water Heating Systems (SWHS) are being discussed. This is then followed by a case study on the implementation of the Solar Water Heating Systems in Nanyang Technological University, Hall of Residences 7.