Short-, Medium-, and Long-Duration Energy Storage in a 100% Renewable Electricity Grid: A UK Case Study

Abstract

Energy storage will be required over a wide range of discharge durations in future zero-emission grids, from milliseconds to months. No single technology is well suited for the complete range. Using 9 years of UK data, this paper explores how to combine different energy storage technologies to minimize the total cost of electricity (TCoE) in a 100% renewable-based grid. Hydrogen, compressed air energy storage (CAES) and Li-ion batteries are considered short-, medium-, and long-duration energy stores, respectively. This paper analyzes different system configurations to find the one leading to the lowest overall cost. Results suggest that the UK will need a storage capacity of ~66.6 TWh to decarbonize its grid. This figure considers a mix of 85% wind + 15% solar-photovoltaics, and 15% over-generation. The optimum distribution of the storage capacity is: 55.3 TWh in hydrogen, 11.1 TWh in CAES and 168 GWh in Li-ion batteries. More than 60% of all energy emerging from storage comes from medium-duration stores. Based on current costs, the storage capacity required represents an investment of ~£172.6 billion, or approximately 8% of the country’s GDP. With this optimum system configuration, a TCoE of ~75.6 £/MWh is attained.

A new index for techno‐economical comparison of storage technologies considering effect of self‐discharge

“…The discharge time of the medium‐duration storages is higher than 1 min up to 1 h and their power rating is within 1 to 10 MW. PbA, lithium‐ion, ZEBRA, NiCd, Zn–air, sodium–sulphur, and vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) belong to this category [56].…”

“…In the medium storage category, the rating power of PbA, ZEBRA, and Ni–Cd batteries is in the range of a few tens of megawatts and their discharge time varies from a few minutes up to 1 h [56]. The rating power of Li‐ion and Ni–Cd batteries is larger than that of the other technologies (up to 50 MW), but its discharge time is less than 1 h [37].…”

Comparing the Role of Long Duration Energy Storage Technologies for Zero-Carbon Electricity Systems

“…It involves assessing the balance between the initial investment, ongoing operational expenses, and the benefits derived from the grid infrastructure over its lifespan.) [10]. These long-duration technologies can store energy for periods ranging from several hours to several days and have several benefits.…”

Design and Implementation of the Bidirectional DC-DC Converter with Rapid Energy Conversion

“…In recent years, because of fast economic development, energy demands have increased rapidly, which, in consequence, caused damages to the environment and accelerated global warming during power generation. To achieve sustainable development of society and economy, environmental protection and the usage of energy have become the most important aspects [1][2][3][4][5][6]. In addition, renewable energy sources such as wind energy and solar energy are regeneratable and cause less environmental pollution when compared with conventional fossil fuel power generation.…”