ICT80011/40005.Energy Storage System Report Sample

1. The convener appreciates the diversity of students’ background from various disciplines at different levels. Therefore, the convener is prepared to accept different styles such as research proposal, research report, project proposal or project report. However, your proposal/report should be consistent with your oral presentation for Assessment / Assignment 1 in terms of concept and content.

The difference between a ‘Proposal’ and a ‘Report’ can be found in text book and lecture notes. The proposal/report templates provided in the lecture notes MUST be used – Module 08 for quantitative/qualitative proposal templates and Module 10 for report template.

2. Your report/proposal will be assessed and marked against the above items, and

• Clear indication of the style (say, a Qualitative/Quantitative Report or Proposal) at the beginning of your submission

• Neatness and clarity, precision, and logical structure of the report/proposal

• Correct use of bibliographical tools (i.e., Endnote)

• Length of the report being around 3000 words including figures/tables/references (using single column, single spacing and 12 point font size with A4 paper size). Your submission shall normally contain no more than seven pages including everything.

Solutions

Introduction

Energy storage systems (ESS) are considered those systems which release and store energy on demand. These include technologies and methods for storing energy. The choice of technology for storing energy depends on the availability of resources, integration within systems, economics, and its application. This offers a vast range of technological approaches for the purpose of managing power supply to bring cost savings and create a resilient energy infrastructure for consumers and utilities. University Assignment Help, Different types of energy storage systems are there including mechanical and thermal systems and batteries. These technologies getting paired with software control the discharge and charge of energy. These are also useful in converting energy from a form that is difficult to store to a more economical or convenient form. This report is going to elaborate on the issues associated with using energy storage systems. The demand for these systems in the context of hybrid and electric vehicles will be further discussed here.

Literature Review

Issues of using energy storage systems

Energy is one fundamental for the economic growth, modernization, and development of any nation, especially in the industrial sector. The market potential of energy storage system is expected to reach near about $100 billion globally by the end of 2024 (Energsoft, 2019). They have got economical and technical maturity for electric applications in the marketplace. The ESS market in Australia is expected to outstretched to USD 8,656 million at the end of this current year (Energsoft, 2019). However, this marker got affected due to COVID-19 in 2020 but it eventually reached pre-pandemic levels by showing a great recovery. There are several issues associated with energy storage systems, some of which are discussed in the following-

Dependency on expensive and scarce raw materials: Materials used for energy storage systems are expensive and rare most of the time, making them costly to purchase and difficult to come by. For example, lithium-ion batteries are commonly used energy storage system which relies upon rare raw materials like nickel, cobalt, and lithium (Yudhistira et al., 2022). It has been observed that these raw materials are not only expensive but also becoming scarce increasingly. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain sufficient quantities for meeting the demands of energy storage systems. It has further been observed that as these materials are quite scarce and expensive their cost of production is also high resulting in expensive maintenance and installation of these systems. China extracted 70% and 50% of cobalt and lithium obtained worldwide for the development of electric automotive giants in this country. Other countries like Brazil, Australia, and Canada also wanted to take advantage of raw materials and vast reserves however, they witnessed potential shortage is going to be the major problem worldwide in 2025. Although, Australia is owning 47% of lithium reserves which accounts for 41% of the lithium production globally (Igogo et al., 2023).

 

Figure 1: Increasing demand for Li-ion battery metals globally
(Source: greencarcongress, 2021)

Safety concerns associated with energy storage systems: One of the major safety concerns associated with these systems is the risk of explosion or fire (Chen et al., 2021). Li-ion batteries are mostly used in energy-storage systems but they are prone to catching fire and overheating. Fire is usually caused due to thermal runaway in which self-heating in batteries exceeds the cooling rate through a chemical process. Apart from this, ESS contains several hazardous materials like lead acid that can be toxic in cases not properly handled. It has also been observed that high-string voltage negatively impacts arc-flash/blast and shock potential, increasing the risk of injuries.

Cost-effective and negative impact on the environment: The cost-effectiveness of the energy storage systems varies based on several factors including the lifetime of the system, used technology, type of energy being stored as well as system size. It has been reported that battery storage systems are comparatively more expensive than pumped hydro storage systems although they are more flexible having the capability of storing energy quickly. On the other hand, there is a huge potential for resulting air pollution because of burning fossil fuels for generating electricity for charging batteries. The production of batteries leads to releasing heavy metals, toxic substances, and other pollutants.

Importance and use of energy storage Systems

ESSs are great sources of energy in response to drops or changes in electricity by providing voltage regulation and electricity frequency. Nowadays these are also valued due to the rapid use of response–battery storage whereas, conventional power plants in most cases take time to restart. Energy storage systems are now critical for meeting the growing demand for hybrid and electric vehicles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Lemian and Bode, 2022). These are also critical for delivering an uninterrupted, reliable power supply as well as for balancing the fluctuating supply of renewable energy. They are also used for reducing the demand for peak power at the time of blackouts and power outages. Energy storage systems are also used for storing excess energy during low demands. Moreover, energy storage systems are used for different purposes which are discussed below-

? Uninterruptible Power or Backup Power Systems: During any power outage, energy power systems are used for continuing operations without any interruptions (Jordehi 2019). It is most relevant during natural disasters like, wildfires, hurricanes, and many more, Energy storage systems are deployed intelligently for continuing operations in emergency services and hospitals.

? Grid storage: These are mostly used for storing excess energy coming from renewables to provide energy balancing for short-term on the grid. They are also used for providing ancillary services including voltage support and frequency regulation. Frequency function results when the generation of the electrical system does not match the load. Energy storage systems acting as complex control systems mitigate this by their easy operations and quick response time, for example, electrochemical systems or pumped-storage hydroelectric systems.

? Electric vehicles: Energy storage systems are used by electric vehicles to store electricity and operate the vehicle. Lithium-ion batteries, which can be charged from the grid or renewable energy sources, are often used to store this energy. The majority of batteries used in electric vehicles in Australia are lithium-ion batteries. (EVs). Their high energy density, long lifespan, and minimal self-discharge make them popular. Around 95% of the market share in Australia is made up of lithium-ion batteries, which power the majority of electric vehicles (electric vehicle council, 2020). Over 50,000 vehicles were registered as electric vehicles in Australia as a whole by the year 2020. The introduction of various incentives and subsidies, as well as the accessibility of charging infrastructure, are the driving forces behind this. As a result, there has been a huge rise in the demand for lithium-ion batteries recently.

? Congestion management: In the case of grid operators, energy storage technologies are a critical tool for managing congestion. For reducing congestion, these systems provide a range of services like frequency management, peak shaving, and spinning reserves (Bhusal et al., 2021). Numerous strategies for dealing with bottlenecks involve the usage of energy storage technologies.

? Energy time shift: It is one of the common types of application of energy storage systems and is used in traditional and pumped-storage hydroelectric plants. It requires buying energy from the grid and selling it at higher market prices.

Figure 2: Importance and use of energy storage Systems
(Source: created by the learner)

Methodology

The methodology for conducting research on energy storage systems using a positivist research philosophy, a descriptive research approach, and secondary data collection methods with a qualitative data analysis method is focused on gaining insights into the current state of the field and identifying trends and patterns in energy storage systems. The methodology adopts a positivist research philosophy that emphasizes empirical observation, measurement, and analysis to understand the world and develop scientific knowledge. The descriptive research approach seeks to describe and analyze the characteristics of energy storage systems, their performance, and their impact on the energy sector. Secondary data collection methods, such as literature review and data mining, are used to collect data from published research articles, reports, and other relevant documents. A qualitative data analysis method, such as thematic analysis or content analysis, is used to analyze the data collected from the secondary sources. The methodology also emphasizes the importance of validity and reliability in conducting research, follows ethical guidelines for the protection of human subjects, and identifies avenues for future research based on the limitations identified and the findings of the study.

Results and Discussions

The demand for energy storage systems in this era of electric and hybrid vehicles

The demand for systems capable of storing energy is increasing at a rapid pace in recent times. This is mainly because a large number of electric and hybrid vehicles are being introduced in the market which requires strong systems for storing energy. The change in the scenario is mainly for the high carbon footprints of traditional vehicles. These vehicles are powered by petroleum or diesel which tend to produce huge amounts of pollutants and are responsible for affecting the sustainability of the environment (Zhang et al. 2020). This situation demands more sustainable vehicles that will ensure almost no carbon emissions. This has led to the development of electric and hybrid vehicles that run mainly on energy storage systems like lithium-ion batteries.

These electric or hybrid vehicles are mainly powered by an electric motor that requires power storage systems that are reliable and long-lasting. These energy systems are responsible for powering the motors of the vehicles without the production of carbon particles. Energy storage systems are being designed by various companies and these systems are capable of powering the motors of electric vehicles for a specific duration. Hybrid vehicles are mainly powered by both electric vehicles and combustion engines that can ensure the high durability of the power systems (Zhang and Li, 2019). These engines are powered by both electricity and petroleum which makes them run for longer periods. But these hybrid engines are responsible for producing carbon emissions at a much lower rate as compared to traditional vehicles.

The energy storage systems that are mainly used for providing power to hybrid and electric vehicles is the lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have become highly popular in the markets due to their high capability to store power. These batteries tend to have a higher capacity for storing charge as their electric density is significantly high in comparison to other types of batteries. These batteries also have a longer span of life which ensures that the electric vehicles will tend to run for a much longer time as compared to batteries developed from other materials. These batteries can also be easily recharged to their full capacity and are also capable of handling a high load of current. These factors are responsible for increasing the demand for such batteries in the markets of the world.

The demands of these power storage systems are not only limited to electric and hybrid vehicles. This is mainly because most countries around the world are responsible for developing new sources of energy which are renewable. These renewable energy sources require the use of energy storage systems such that the electricity produced can be effectively stored (Balali and Stegen, 2021). The energy storage systems tend to store the power when the production is high and tend to release the power in times of high demand. The demand for these energy storage systems is analysed to rise to a significant range in the following years. This is mainly because most companies are working to develop sustainable energy sources that will ensure low carbon emissions in the atmosphere.

Future of energy storage systems

As the requirements for sustainable sources of energy tend to increase the future of energy storage systems looks seems bright. It is identified that there are a number of trends that are responsible for shaping the future of energy storage systems. These trends are developing due to the significant enhancement in the technologies of the future.

The first trend that is responsible for shaping the future of energy storage systems is the adoption of renewable energy sources by most countries. The countries are mainly trying to use solar and wind energies for the development of sustainable power. But these sources of energy are identified to have a fluctuating power supply which increases the requirement for energy storage systems (Wang et al. 2020). These storage systems are responsible for storing the excess energy during the time when the excess power is being generated and releasing the power when the demand tends to increase. This capability of the energy storage systems makes it highly important for firms that are responsible for producing renewable sources of energy.

As per analysis, another trend is also identified that is responsible for having an impact on the future of energy storage systems. This trend involves the increasing demand for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles tend to require high-capacity storage systems to ensure travelling for long distances. These vehicles thus require energy storage systems that are reliable and tend to last for longer periods (Prasad et al. 2019). The lithium-ion batteries are the main storage systems that are being used by these vehicles. This is also responsible for increasing its demand to a significant level. It is also identified that certain companies are working to develop new batteries to work as storage systems that have higher charge capacity and can be charged in a much lower time. These batteries involve flow batteries and solid-state batteries.

It is also analysed that the new technologies related to solid-state batteries are capable of enhancing the future of energy storage systems. This is mainly because energy storage systems are in high demand and the most important aspect of this demand is to store more energy. The solid-state batteries that are being developed involve high charge capacity which will enable these batteries to store more power compared to lithium-ion batteries (Choudhury, 2022). These solid-state batteries are also responsible for having low charging time which is another important factor for any energy storage system. The fast charging capability of solid-state batteries ensures that once these batteries are released in the market, their demand will tend to rise significantly.

Another important innovation that can drive the future of energy storage systems involves the development of flow batteries. These batteries are composed of two different electrolyte solutions that tend to pass through an electrochemical cell to produce electricity. These batteries are highly powerful and tend to store energy for a much longer time. These batteries can also be used for storing grid-level energy which is one of the most important activities of energy storage systems.

Progress in energy storage technologies and their application

It is identified from research that energy storage systems have developed significantly in the last few years. This is mainly because the demand for such storage systems is increasing at a rapid pace. The companies working on these technologies are responsible for making energy storage systems more advanced with the use of new materials. These new batteries are highly advanced as they are capable of storing energy for a longer period and are highly cost-effective.

It is identified that lithium-ion batteries are the commonly used energy storage systems in the markets. Their applications involve use of lithium-ion batteries in case of electric vehicles, portable electronics and grid-level storage. A number of innovative techniques are being applied to the development of these batteries such that their cycle life, materials, manufacturing, and energy capacity can be increased (Koohi-Fayegh and Rosen, 2020). These activities involve the use of solid-state electrolytes and silicon anodes such that their charge capacity can be enhanced. These methods also tend to enhance the safety factors of these power storage systems. Advanced technologies are also being used for the manufacturing process of these cells which involves the automated assembly of these cells. These advancements in manufacturing can also help to reduce costs in an effective manner.

It is also identified that new innovative technologies are being used to develop new batteries that are more powerful than lithium-ion batteries. These batteries involve flow batteries that contain mainly two different types of electrode solutions. These solutions are pumped through electrochemical cells to ensure the development of electricity (Rahman et al. 2020). These batteries are responsible for highly effective as compared to lithium-ion batteries as they have a longer span of life and are capable of storing electricity for a much longer period. These batteries can mainly be used for grid-level storage systems as their capability to store electricity is significantly high. Moreover, it is also identified that these batteries are at a stage of development and have not yet been released in the market.

The progress of energy storage systems also involves batteries of solid-state which tend to have a solid electrolyte and are capable of storing more energy as compared to lithium-ion batteries. This new type of battery ensures a high density of energy and faster charging time. This is very effective as most lithium-ion batteries require high time for charging. Supercapacitors are also being developed in a number of countries (Olabi et al. 2021). These capacitors are capable of storing a high amount of electricity and have a faster charging time than other traditional batteries. This type of battery is used for regenerative braking systems that exist in electric vehicles as they require high power output in a short period of time. Thus it can be stated that energy storage systems are very important in the future and many new technologies are being derived in recent times which will make energy storage systems more effective and strong.

Conclusion and future prospects

Energy storage systems are crucial to the shift to a clean energy economy. Solar and wind energy as renewable energy sources can be stored for future. This is a crucial step towards lessening reliance on fossil fuels. There are different types of energy storage systems including Compressed Air Energy Storage, Hydropower, Pumped Storage, Battery Energy Storage, and many more. It has been observed that Li-ion batteries are the most commonly used energy storage systems of these times when it comes to transition towards clean energy. This report has shown progress in energy storage technologies and their application. Moreover, through this report, the future of energy storage systems has been predicted to some extent. There are several promising areas of research for energy storage systems that could have significant impacts on the way we generate, store, and distribute energy. Here are a few examples:

? Next-generation battery technologies: Li-ion batteries have dominated the energy storage market over the past decade, but there is still significant room for improvement in terms of energy density, charging time, and cost. Researchers are exploring alternative chemistries, such as solid-state batteries and metal-air batteries, as well as novel electrode materials and manufacturing techniques.

? Flow batteries: Flow batteries use two liquid electrolytes that are stored in external tanks and flow through a membrane to produce electricity. Unlike traditional batteries, flow batteries can be increased easily by simply increasing the size of the storage tanks, which makes them an attractive option for large-scale energy storage applications such as grid-level storage.

Reference List

Balali, Y. and Stegen, S., 2021. Review of energy storage systems for vehicles based on technology, environmental impacts, and costs. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135, p.110185.

Bhusal, N., Gautam, M. and Benidris, M., 2021, April. Cybersecurity of electric vehicle smart charging management systems. In 2020 52nd North American Power Symposium (NAPS) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.

Chen, Y., Kang, Y., Zhao, Y., Wang, L., Liu, J., Li, Y., Liang, Z., He, X., Li, X., Tavajohi, N. and Li, B., 2021. A review of lithium-ion battery safety concerns: The issues, strategies, and testing standards. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 59, pp.83-99.

Choudhury, S., 2022. Review of energy storage system technologies integration to microgrid: Types, control strategies, issues, and future prospects. Journal of Energy Storage, 48, p.103966.

Electricvehiclecouncil. 2020. STATE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES Available at: https://electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/EVC-State-of-EVs-2020-report.pdf (Accessed: April 7, 2023).

Energsoft. 2019. Energy Storage Problems Available at: https://energsoft.com/blog/f/energy-storage-problems (Accessed: April 7, 2023).

Greencarcongress. 2023. BloombergNEF: battery metals rebounding; by 2030, annual Li-ion battery demand to pass 2TWh Available at: https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/07/20210701-bnef.html (Accessed: April 7, 2023).

Igogo, T. et al. 2023. Supply Chain of raw materials used in the manufacturing of light ... - NREL, SUPPLY CHAIN OF RAW MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF LIGHT-DUTY VEHICLE LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES. Available at: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy19osti/73374.pdf (Accessed: April 7, 2023).

Jordehi, A.R., 2019. Optimisation of demand response in electric power systems, a review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 103, pp.308-319.

Koohi-Fayegh, S. and Rosen, M.A., 2020. A review of energy storage types, applications and recent developments. Journal of Energy Storage, 27, p.101047.
Lemian, D. and Bode, F., 2022. Battery-Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems for Electrical Vehicles: A Review. Energies, 15(15), p.5683.

Olabi, A.G., Onumaegbu, C., Wilberforce, T., Ramadan, M., Abdelkareem, M.A. and Al–Alami, A.H., 2021. Critical review of energy storage systems. Energy, 214, p.118987.
Prasad, J.S., Muthukumar, P., Desai, F., Basu, D.N. and Rahman, M.M., 2019. A critical review of high-temperature reversible thermochemical energy storage systems. Applied Energy, 254, p.113733.

Rahman, M.M., Oni, A.O., Gemechu, E. and Kumar, A., 2020. Assessment of energy storage technologies: A review. Energy Conversion and Management, 223, p.113295.

Wang, Y., Das, R., Putrus, G. and Kotter, R., 2020. Economic evaluation of photovoltaic and energy storage technologies for future domestic energy systems–A case study of the UK. Energy, 203, p.117826.

Yudhistira, R., Khatiwada, D. and Sanchez, F., 2022. A comparative life cycle assessment of lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries for grid energy storage. Journal of Cleaner Production, 358, p.131999.

Zhang, Q. and Li, G., 2019. Experimental study on a semi-active battery-supercapacitor hybrid energy storage system for electric vehicle application. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 35(1), pp.1014-1021.

Zhang, Q., Wang, L., Li, G. and Liu, Y., 2020. A real-time energy management control strategy for battery and supercapacitor hybrid energy storage systems of pure electric vehicles. Journal of Energy Storage, 31, p.101721.

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