Recent decades have seen huge growth in the renewable energy sector, spurred on by concerns about climate change and dwindling supplies of fossil fuels. One of the major difficulties raised by an increasing reliance on renewable resources is the inflexibility when it comes to controlling supply in response to demand. For example, solar energy can only be produced during the day. The development of methods for storing the energy produced by renewable sources is therefore crucial to the continued stability of global energy supplies. However, as with all new technology, it is important to consider the environmental impacts as well as the benefits. This book brings together authors from a variety of different backgrounds to explore the state-of-the-art of large-scale energy storage and examine the environmental impacts of the main categories based on the types of energy stored. A valuable resource, not just for those working and researching in the renewable energy sector, but also for policymakers around the world.

The United States and China are the world's top two energy consumers and, as of 2010, the two largest economies. Consequently, they have a decisive role to play in the world's clean energy future. Both countries are also motivated by related goals, namely diversified energy portfolios, job creation, energy security, and pollution reduction, making renewable energy development an important strategy with wide-ranging implications. Given the size of their energy markets, any substantial progress the two countries make in advancing use of renewable energy will provide global benefits, in terms of enhanced technological understanding, reduced costs through expanded deployment, and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to conventional generation from fossil fuels. Within this context, the U.S. National Academies, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), reviewed renewable energy development and deployment in the two countries, to highlight prospects for collaboration across the research to deployment chain and to suggest strategies which would promote more rapid and economical attainment of renewable energy goals. Main findings and concerning renewable resource assessments, technology development, environmental impacts, market infrastructure, among others, are presented. Specific recommendations have been limited to those judged to be most likely to accelerate the pace of deployment, increase cost-competitiveness, or shape the future market for renewable energy. The recommendations presented here are also pragmatic and achievable.

Power System Energy Storage Technologies provides a comprehensive analysis of the various technologies used to store electrical energy on both a small and large scale. Although expensive to implement, energy storage plants can offer significant benefits for the generation, distribution and use of electrical power. This is particularly important in renewable energy, which is intermittent in its supply. This book provides coverage of major technologies, such as sections on Pumped Storage Hydropower, Compressed-Air Energy Storage, Large Scale Batteries and Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage, each of which is presented with discussions of their operation, performance, efficiency and the costs associated with implementation and management. Provides a description and analysis of various storage technologies, such as Pumped Storage Hydropower, Compressed-Air Energy Storage, Large Scale Batteries and Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage Breaks down each storage type and analyzes their operation, performance, efficiency and costs Considers how each energy storage plant benefits the generation distribution and use of electric power

Electricity from renewable sources of energy is plagued by fluctuations (due to variations in wind strength or the intensity of insolation) resulting in a lack of stability if the energy supplied from such sources is used in ‘real time’. An important solution to this problem is to store the energy electrochemically (in a secondary battery or in hydrogen and its derivatives) and to make use of it in a controlled fashion at some time after it has been initially gathered and stored. Electrochemical battery storage systems are the major technologies for decentralized storage systems and hydrogen is the only solution for long-term storage systems to provide energy during extended periods of low wind speeds or solar insolation. Future electricity grid design has to include storage systems as a major component for grid stability and for security of supply. The technology of systems designed to achieve this regulation of the supply of renewable energy, and a survey of the markets that they will serve, is the subject of this book. It includes economic aspects to guide the development of technology in the right direction. Provides state-of-the-art information on all of the storage systems together with an assessment of competing technologies Features detailed technical, economic and environmental impact information of different storage systems Contains information about the challenges that must be faced for batteries and hydrogen-storage to be used in conjunction with a fluctuating (renewable energy) power supply

This handbook serves as a guide to deploying battery energy storage technologies, specifically for distributed energy resources and flexibility resources. Battery energy storage technology is the most promising, rapidly developed technology as it provides higher efficiency and ease of control. With energy transition through decarbonization and decentralization, energy storage plays a significant role to enhance grid efficiency by alleviating volatility from demand and supply. Energy storage also contributes to the grid integration of renewable energy and promotion of microgrid.

The ability of thermal energy storage (TES) systems to facilitate energy savings, renewable energy use and reduce environmental impact has led to a recent resurgence in their interest. The second edition of this book offers up-to-date coverage of recent energy efficient and sustainable technological methods and solutions, covering analysis, design and performance improvement as well as life-cycle costing and assessment. As well as having significantly revised the book for use as a graduate text, the authors address real-life technical and operational problems, enabling the reader to gain an understanding of the fundamental principles and practical applications of thermal energy storage technology. Beginning with a general summary of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, this book goes on to discuss practical applications with chapters that include TES systems, environmental impact, energy savings, energy and exergy analyses, numerical modeling and simulation, case studies and new techniques and performance assessment methods.

Thermal Energy Storage Systems and Applications Provides students and engineers with up-to-date information on methods, models, and approaches in thermal energy storage systems and their applications in thermal management and elsewhere Thermal energy storage (TES) systems have become a vital technology for renewable energy systems and are increasingly being used in commercial and industrial applications including space and water heating, cooling, and air conditioning. TES technology has the potential to be a sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly approach for facilitating more effective use of thermal equipment and correcting the imbalance that can occur between the supply and demand of energy. The Third Edition of Thermal Energy Storage: Systems and Applications contains detailed coverage of new methodologies, models, experimental works, and methods in the rapidly growing field. Extensively revised and updated throughout, this comprehensive volume covers integrated systems with energy storage options, environmental impact and sustainability, design, analysis, assessment criteria, advanced tools in exergy and extended exergy, and more. New and expanded chapters address topics such as renewable energy systems in which thermal energy storage is essential, sensible and latent TES systems, and numerical modelling, simulation, and analysis of TES systems. Integrating academic research and practical information, this new edition: Discusses a variety of practical TES applications, their technical features, and potential benefits Explores recent developments and future directions in energy storage technologies Covers the latest generation of thermal storage systems and a wide range of applications Features new chapters, case studies, and chapter problems throughout the text Includes pertinent background information on thermodynamics, fluid flow, and heat transfer Contains numerous illustrative examples, full references, and appendices with conversion factors and thermophysical properties of various materials Thermal Energy Storage: Systems and Applications, Third Edition is the perfect textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering, and a highly useful reference for energy engineers and researchers.