A Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) study was published December 2020 at the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA) website (1). Energy storage longer than four hours is needed for reliability at night, during evening peak demand, and during intermittent solar generating periods. Strategen modeled California's future grid needs and concluded 45-55 GW of long duration energy storage will be needed by 2045 (2). "This quantity represents over a 150X increase in the amount of energy storage deployed in the state since 2010 and is the energy equivalent of powering 37 million homes."
The study contributes to the DOE "Long Duration Storage Shot" that considers "all types of technologies – whether electrochemical, mechanical, thermal, chemical carriers, or any combination that has the potential to meet the necessary duration and cost targets for grid flexibility. Currently, pumped-storage hydropower is the largest source of long duration energy storage on the grid, and lithium ion is the primary source of new energy storage technology deployed on the grid in the United States, providing shorter duration storage capabilities." (3)
IPHROS remains a good idea to provide long duration energy storage (pumped-storage hydropower) and clean water (desalination) in one operation. "The idea of combining these power and water systems is not original. Alexander Slocum said a Japanese researcher working for the United Nations came up with the concept in the 1970s, but nothing came of it at a time when fossil fuels were cheap, renewables expensive, and climate change a less pressing concern." Now, Slocum said, the circumstances are very different. “If the world does not quickly evolve into a renewable-based energy society, game over for everyone, no matter how wealthy you are.” (4)
Sources:
1. California Energy Storage Alliance press release published Dec 8, 2020. Link to CESA website CA Needs up to 55 GW Long Duration Energy Storage by 2045 — California Energy Storage Alliance
2. Strategen Long Duration Energy Storage study published Dec 8, 2020. Link to LDES study LDES_CA_12.08.2020.pdf (squarespace.com)
3. DOE Long Duration Storage Shot announcement published Jul 14, 2021. Link to DOE Long Duration Storage Shot website Secretary Granholm Announces New Goal to Cut Costs of Long Duration Energy Storage by 90 Percent | Department of Energy
4. ECPA website featuring ECPA Media Blog article,"Finding New Synergies between Water and Energy" published May 2020. Link to ECPAmericas https://ecpamericas.org/finding-new-synergies-between-water-and-energy/
Comments