Where is the solar energy 'deposit'? Porous rock potential

Use of renewable energy technologies such as wind power and solar energy to produce the amount of energy often depends on the weather conditions, and to ensure sustained and stable power supply way, scientists are trying to find in the nature of energy storage materials and methods.

a few days ago, a university of Edinburgh, published in the 'natural & middot; Energy, about porous rock storage, according to British north sea sea floor of porous rock is expected to be used for long-term storage of electricity generated by renewable energy, so as to solve storage problem such as offshore wind. So, how do scientists think of using porous rock as energy storage medium? What other storage of renewable energy ideas? Recently, the science and technology journal reporter related to question the team of researchers had an interview with the Chinese Academy of Sciences institute of electrical energy storage technology Chen Yong her professor.

according to foreign media, the British most plant expires at the end of the 20 s of this century, a retired; Japan's Hitachi has also announced that due to the rising cost of construction will be suspended its nuclear power project in the UK; For emissions reduction factors to consider, the British government plans to close all power 2025 years ago, it would leave the country's electricity supply a considerable gap.

and energy management system, realize the value of including: a wide range of collaborative control, optimal operation, improve efficiency, cost reduction, and the emergence of new business models.

according to introducing, the so-called compressed air energy storage (porous media PM CAES） , its working principle is the use of renewable energy power to produce the compressed air powered engine, the air stored in high pressure in sandstone pore. In the energy shortage, the release of the compressed air of the well, to provide power for turbine generator, then put the electricity to the grid.

the UK scientists has carried on the porous rock to inshore saline aquifer energy storage potential forecast, using the monte carlo method to calculate the build power plants on a large number of the location of the porous rock power output and efficiency. Research shows that the PM - at a time CAES storage can satisfy two months the required air flow, its efficiency (back and forth RT) Between 42% to 67%. In addition, the method of surface loss is small, it will get the favour of the land surface or limited water area, at the same time, the technology in the energy demand of densely populated areas more attractive.

　　“ Construction of smart grid and distributed energy system, energy storage system is one of the key technologies. So far, mass ( More than 500 megawatts) Commercial application of electrical energy storage system, the main is pumped storage power station. Although pumped storage with the fall of on any account topography, using potential difference to a large number of energy storage and power generation, but is limited by the geographical conditions and investment construction cycle is long, also need to develop other large-scale energy storage technology, especially the seasonal energy storage technology. ” Has a wide distribution Chen Yong her pointed out that the porous rock, this will make the PM - CAES technology is able to run across the season, thus the universality of its application is greatly enhanced.

according to the paper, Chen Yong her, British researchers used mathematical models to assess the potential of energy storage technology, the north sea geological structure can be stored to meet the power demand of the 3 months energy, and a large number of rich in porous rock inshore saline aquifers near the wind farm, which can be generated between the generating and storing valuable synergy.

one of the authors of the paper, the university of Edinburgh, Julian & middot; Jose - Castillo, points out that this technology could store renewable energy power generation in the summer, when the winter peak for use. Only this way, although have feasibility, cost is relatively high. In addition, the porous rock energy storage technologies still exist a lot of potential problems, the future more research was needed to perfect the technology, in order to cut down the cost, and like technology application security.

Chen Yong her points out, in fact, the renewable energy & other; Deposit & throughout; Where, scientists have been exploring the possibility of more, such as water storage, the desert, energy storage, such as artificial green leaves, is sea, the situation.

the German fraunhofer institute for wind power and energy systems design known as the energy storage in the sea StEnSea) The new way of thinking, the energy storage within the main body to multiple concrete hollow ball, 30 meters in diameter in 600 & ndash; 800 meters deep sea floor. In each ball has a hydraulic generator and water pump, when low power grid load and power spare, may pull the seawater pump energy storage; When grid peak load is high, the need of power generation, the ball valve will open, let into water to drive the turbine to generate electricity.

researchers also leaves borrow wisdom, follow the nature of photosynthesis, the solar energy into chemical energy, store energy in chemical bonds, basically can achieve the process of carbon neutral, such way to absorb carbon dioxide from the environment, by the reaction of a achieve the goal of environmental protection and energy storage. At the same time, improve the efficiency and stability, in the process of forming a means for renewable energy.

in addition, some scientists trying to pump energy storage method, through the belt will be sand to the high warehouse, high sand to the wind leaf, doing work stored potential energy in the form of sand, and help to provide electricity kinetic energy.