Energy storage is mechanically by utilizing forces like kinetics or gravitational attraction to store incoming energy. Mechanical systems’ physics is frequently relatively simple. Technological advancements have allowed for the efficient and practical application of these forces includes high-tech components, state-of-the-art computer systems.
These solutions can be used in the real world thanks to cutting-edge engineering and inventive design. A flywheel is a mechanical rotating device used to store rotational energy in the form of rapid rotation. A flywheel is nothing more than a mass with a motor attached to it, and when energy is required, the group spins to provide it.
To generate energy, a device resembling a turbine is propelled by the spinning force. We are reducing the rotation’s speed. To recharge a flywheel, raise the rotational speed of the motor. A system that uses flywheels to store energy. Electric power is supplied and stored as kinetic energy in the system’s flywheel (or rotor) when using a FESS.
As the name implies, kinetic energy is the “energy of motion,” which is the rotation of a rotating mass known as a rotor. A near-frictionless environment is used to keep the rotor spinning.
When utility power varies or is lost, it is necessary to have a short-term backup power supply. Because of the rotor’s inertia, the kinetic energy that is generated can continue to spin. The transformation of energy generates electricity. A flywheel is a common component of current high-speed flywheel energy storage devices.
A large revolving cylinder supported by a massive shaft Magnetically levitated bearings supports the stator, the electric generator’s stationary component. Flywheel systems operate in a vacuum to minimize drag and maximize efficiency. The flywheel is linked to a motor-generator that communicates with the utility grid as needed using modern power electronics.
Energy Storage Using Compressed Air (Case):
When you make and use a lot of energy at once, you may want to consider compressed air energy storage (CAES). Electricity generated when demand is low is used by utilities (off-peak) capacity can be made available at times of high demand (peak load).
CAES systems have been in use since the 1870s to deliver efficiently, supplying towns and businesses with energy on-demand. Even though there are numerous smaller ones. A utility-scale CAES system with over 290 MW nameplate capacity was installed in the 1970s. CAES has the potential to provide on-site, small-scale energy storage solutions.
Large-scale facilities that can store enormous amounts of energy for the grid are also available. Storage of compressed air for long periods. The Packed-hydro power plants and compressed air energy storage facilities are nearly interchangeable in terms of their intended uses. However, at times of extra electricity, instead of pumping water from a lower to an upper pond.
An underground cavern or container is used to compress and store ambient air or gas in a CAES facility. When electricity is needed, heated and expanded pressure air is used in a power generation expansion turbine driving a generator.
An alternative is to store the compression heat thermally using adiabatic expansion to remove heat from the thermal storage system when it enters the cavern. There are two ways to do this: Diabatic CAES Method or Directed CAES Method. One is in McIntosh, Alabama, the United States; the other is located in Hunter, Germany.
Additionally, the diabatic approach will be used in all future designs. In theory, these plants are nothing more than standard gas turbines, but in practice. It has a combustion air compression system separate from and unrelated to the gas turbine process itself.
Key Advantages
As a result, this approach has two key advantages. Because the compression stage typically consumes around two-thirds of the turbine’s available power is unaffected by compression work. The CAES turbine can produce three times as much output from the same natural gas input as the conventional turbine.
This lowers the overall gas consumption as well as the costs that go along with it. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 40% to 60%. It could be utilized to reheat the air in a recuperator, or it could be wasted heat.
The power-to-power efficiency is 42 percent without waste heat utilization and 55 percent with it. Reduce the expense of extra energy instead of compressing the air with precious gas. Off-peak periods or excess renewable energy above local energy needs can make use of this technology. Neither of the facilities mentioned above uses multi-shaft machines.
A gearbox connects the compressor, motor, generator, and gas turbine all on the same shaft. The motor-compressor is used in several proposed CAES plant designs. Both the generator and the turbine will be mechanically separated from one another during the construction process.
This allows for the plant to be expanded in terms of both input and output power in a modular fashion. Exhaust heat from typical gas turbines can be used to generate electricity.
Air Bottoming Cycle:
High-pressure heating air before expansion provides for a wide range of CAES plant sizes depending on the cavern storage volume and pressure.
Diabetic Approach:
It is possible to attain up to 70% greater efficiency if the heat of. Compressed air is reheated with the help of compression that has been recovered. Because there is no longer any requirement to burn additional fuel in the turbines. The decompressed air is warmed using natural gas.
Options For Keeping Things:
The poor storage density necessitates extensive storage locations regardless of the method used. Locations in deep salt deposits, such as artificial salt caverns, are ideal.
There Are Various Advantages To Exploring Salt Caverns:
High-pressure loss in the repository and no reactivity are advantages of flexible storage. Because of the oxygen in the air and the rock that serves as the salt’s host. Natural salt formations can be used in the absence of suitable salt formations. In order to determine if the aquifer rock formation and any bacteria present in the aquifer rock formation react to the oxygen, it is important to conduct tests first.
It may cause the reservoir’s oxygen levels to drop or its pore spaces to become clogged. In addition to the depletion and obstruction difficulties previously discussed, compressed air storage in depleted natural gas fields is also being researched.
It’ll be necessary to think about how residual hydrocarbons will combine with compressed air. Compared to pumped-hydro power plants, CAES plants are a viable option. Existing diabatic plants CAPEX and OPEX are competitive.
