Change Agent: Energy Storage as a Driver of Regulatory Evolution

Techno-economic analysis of long-duration energy storage and flexible power generation technologies to support high-variable renewable energy grids

<p indent="0mm">Increasing concerns about global warming and the climate crisis emphasize the significance of the decarbonization of electric grids and transportation with clean energy resources, such as solar, wind and hydrogen, etc. Clean energy storage and conversion technologies are critical enablers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the energy crisis. Electrochemical energy conversion technologies (e.g., fuel cells) and energy storage technologies (e.g., redox flow batteries, lithium-based batteries, etc.) have attracted wide attention from both academic and industrial fields. However, their commercialization is greatly challenged by poor stability, insufficient power capability, high costs, etc. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) have an ultra-high specific surface area <sc>(&gt;500 m² g⁻¹)</sc> and abundant sub-nanometer-sized micropores <sc>(0.2−0.8 nm)</sc> from the insufficient packing of their highly rigid twisted chain structures. In addition to the advantages of high porosity, PIMs are solution-processable and low-cost, rendering them a promising material that can be widely employed as ion-exchange membranes, electroactive materials, and interface functional layers, etc., to facilitate the commercialization of the electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. In this review, we first categorized the existing PIMs according to their synthetic mechanisms to dibenzodioxane-PIMs (such as PIM-1), Tröger’s base-PIMs (TB-PIMs) and catalytic arene-norbornene annulation (CANAL) ladder PIMs, etc. We highlighted the synthesis, functionalization methods, and the manipulation strategies of the microporous structure of typical PIMs including PIM-1 and TB-PIMs. In addition, we provided a comprehensive summarization of the characterization methods of PIMs to probe their molecular structures, pore structures, and membrane structures, as well as the advanced <italic>in-situ</italic> characterization techniques and theoretical simulations to facilitate the in-depth investigations of the ion transportation in the sub-nanometer-sized micropores of PIMs. Next, we reviewed the latest progress of the applications of PIMs in electrochemical energy conversion technologies (fuel cells including proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and alkaline anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AAEMFC)) and energy storage technologies (aqueous and nonaqueous redox flow batteries, aprotic Li-S batteries, etc.). First, PIMs are widely employed as efficient ion-exchange membranes owing to their high porosity and narrow distribution of the sub-nanometer-sized pore structure, which is preferential to break the trade-off of ion selectivity and ionic conductivity in conventional ion-exchange membranes. We provided a fundamental understanding of the ion transportation mechanism of PIMs compared to traditional membrane materials, and further summarized the cell-level characterization protocols, the design principles of PIM-based membranes in different working environments and the strategies for functionalization of PIMs in fuel cells, redox flow batteries and Li-S batteries. Additionally, PIMs are also developed as novel redox active materials, dendrite prohibited coatings for lithium or zinc anodes, porous carbon electrodes, and catalysts protective layer, etc., in recent years to promote the performances of the electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies. Finally, we highlighted our perspectives on the future development directions of PIMs to guide their wide contributions in the energy storage and conversion fields. This review provides the fundamental understanding of the design strategies, characterization matrix, mechanism understandings and applications of PIMs in advanced electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems, which will pave the way of the wide applications of PIMs for a cleaner landscape of the energy utilization in the future.

Harnessing Interfacial Electron Transfer in Redox Flow Batteries

Chapter 2 - Recent regulatory control changes related to energy storage in Asia: impact on the business cases

The future U.S. electric grid is being transformed with deep decarbonization of generation (i.e., removing or reducing reliance on fossil fuels and replacing them with renewable and clean energy resources), which in practice is not achievable without a dramatic increase in the reliance on long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies. Regulators at both the state and federal level are well advised to take steps to address current policy gaps, build frameworks that will enable a greater role for LDES to contribute to grid reliability and be fairly compensated for its grid services..Decarbonization by definition is dependent on an increasing reliance on variable renewable energy, primarily wind and solar resources, that needs to be stored for longer durations to maintain electric grid reliability and provide operational flexibility to grid operators. However, despite the growing realization of the need for long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies, a persistent gap of policy levers at the federal and state level creates a vacuum in terms of defining how and where LDES technologies can be utilized to support the electric grid, along with an inadequate regulatory framework wherein these resources will need to be valued and compensated for the services they can provide. This paper—which is primarily intended for US decision makers, but should be of value for all energy professionals and the general public—addresses policy gaps, needs, and opportunities for LDES that require urgent attention from US-based policymakers at the federal and state level. This paper also provides background information on how the US E&U industry is structured and regulated, along with perspectives on LDES technologies and applications, all of which have direct relevance to the paper’s primary focus on the need for LDES policymaking.DiscussionDespite a generally accepted future need for long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies that is directly tied to the rapid of renewable resources on the U.S. electric grid, there is a lack of policymaking, market designs, and compensation mechanisms for LDES technologies. Decarbonization (i.e., the goal of removing or reducing reliance on fossil fuels) cannot be achieved at the aggressive levels envisioned without utilizing LDES. Policymakers must take steps now to build frameworks that recognize the unique ways in which LDES will increasingly contribute to grid reliability and resilience, and receive appropriate compensation for the services it provides.Graphical abstract

In the attempt to tackle the issue of climate change, governments across the world have agreed to set global carbon reduction targets. [...]

Energy storage technology breaks the asynchrony between energy production and consumption, makes energy convertible in time and space, and realizes the premise of energy complementarity and sharing. In modern power grid, energy storage, especially electrochemical battery energy storage technology, has become an important support for the access and utilization of large-scale centralized and distributed renewable energy generation. In the context of the development of energy Internet, the role and status of energy storage will change significantly. Based on the application of energy storage in power system, the function of energy storage will be further expanded, and energy storage technology will obtain new development opportunities. With the rapid development of the application of battery energy storage technology, its impact on the power grid is far-reaching. However, the research on the short-circuit current contributed by battery energy storage after AC short-circuit and its influence on power grid stability is still blank at home and abroad. In addition, the existing short-circuit current calculation standards and methods do not involve the influence of energy storage system on short-circuit current in case of AC short-circuit fault. At present, the International Electrotechnical Commission IEC 60909 and American National Standards Association short-circuit current calculation standards do not involve the contribution of battery energy storage to the short-circuit current of AC system during short circuit. Circuit and connected to the grid. In the planning, design and operation control of power system, the selection of system equipment capacity parameters, the setting of protection devices and the arrangement of operation mode all need to calculate the short-circuit current. With the increasing proportion of energy storage system capacity, the impact on AC system short-circuit current can not be ignored.

This paper analyzes the need and benefits of energy storage in electrical grids. Energy storages introduce many advantages such as balancing generation and demand, power quality improvement, smoothing the renewable resources. Hybrid energy storage systems characterized by coupling of two or more energy storage technologies are emerged as a solution to achieve the desired performance by combining the appropriate features of different technologies. Thus, a brief overview on energy and power storage technologies and devices is presented, including proposed models and specific characteristics and highlighting the benefits of hybridization based on the simulation results of energy storage systems.

Cryogenic energy storage ( CES ) is a large‐scale energy storage technology that uses cryogen (liquid air/nitrogen) as a medium and also a working fluid for energy storage and discharging processes. During off‐peak hours, when electricity is at its cheapest and demand for electricity is at its lowest, liquid air/nitrogen is produced in an air liquefaction and separation plant and stored in cryogenic tanks close to the atmospheric pressure. During peak hours, the cryogenic liquid is heated up using environmental heat and then superheated using other heat sources (if available). The boiling of the cryogenic liquid will form a high pressure gas that drives an expansion device to produce shaft power or electricity. The concept of CES was first proposed by University of Newcastle upon Tyne (United Kingdom) in 1977 as an alternative to compressed air energy storage ( CAES ) technology for peak shaving in an electricity grid. Subsequently, the topic was investigated both numerically and experimentally by both industrial companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hitachi, Expansion Energy, and Highview Power Storage Systems and academic institutions. It is, however, the work from 2005 at the University of Leeds in collaboration with Highview Power Storage Systems that led to the world's first fully operational MWh pilot grid‐connected plant.

This paper presents a SWOT analysis of the impact of recent EU regulatory changes on the business case for energy storage (ES) using the UK as a case study. ES technologies (such as batteries) are key enablers for increasing the share of renewable energy generation and hence decarbonising the electricity system. As such, recent regulatory changes seek to improve the business case for ES technologies on national networks. These changes include removing double network charging for ES, defining and classifying ES in relevant legislations, and clarifying ES ownership along with facilitating its grid access. However, most of the current regulations treat storage in a similar way to bulk generators without paying attention to the different sizes and types of ES. As a result, storage with higher capacity receives significantly higher payment in the capacity market and can be exempt from paying renewable energy promotion taxes. Despite the recent regulatory changes, ES is defined as a generation device, which is a barrier to a wide range of revenue streams from demand side services. Also, regulators avoid disrupting the current energy market structure by creating an independent asset class for ES. Instead, they are encouraging changes that co-exist with the current market and regulatory structure. Therefore, although some of the reviewed market and regulatory changes for ES in this paper are positive, it can be concluded that these changes are not likely to allow a level playing field for ES that encourage its increase on energy networks.

Driving innovation in energy and telecommunications involves leveraging next-generation energy storage and 5G technology to enhance connectivity and energy solutions. This review explores the intersection of these two domains, highlighting the importance of advancements in energy storage and 5G technology for a sustainable and connected future. Energy storage is crucial for balancing the supply and demand of electricity in modern power systems. Traditional energy storage methods, such as batteries and pumped hydro, have limitations in terms of scalability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Next-generation energy storage technologies, including advanced batteries, hydrogen storage, and thermal storage, offer promising solutions to overcome these limitations. These technologies enable efficient energy storage at scale, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the grid. By storing excess energy generated during periods of low demand, next-generation energy storage systems ensure a reliable and stable power supply, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In parallel, the evolution of telecommunications technology, particularly the advent of 5G networks, is revolutionizing connectivity and communication. 5G technology offers significantly higher data transfer speeds, lower latency, and increased network capacity compared to its predecessors. These capabilities are essential for supporting emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and smart grids. With 5G-enabled IoT devices, utilities can monitor energy consumption in real-time, optimize grid operations, and detect and respond to faults more efficiently. Moreover, 5G connectivity enhances the efficiency and reliability of energy storage systems by enabling seamless communication between distributed energy resources and grid operators. The convergence of next-generation energy storage and 5G technology presents numerous opportunities for driving innovation in both energy and telecommunications sectors. One of the key areas of innovation is the development of smart energy storage systems equipped with 5G connectivity. These systems can autonomously adjust their operation based on grid conditions, weather forecasts, and energy demand patterns, optimizing energy storage and distribution in real-time. Furthermore, advanced energy management algorithms leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms can optimize energy usage and storage, further improving the efficiency and reliability of the grid. Another area of innovation lies in the integration of renewable energy resources with 5G-enabled microgrids. Microgrids are localized energy systems that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid. By combining renewable energy sources with energy storage and 5G-enabled communication, microgrids can provide reliable, clean, and resilient power to remote or urban areas. These microgrids can also facilitate peer-to-peer energy trading, allowing consumers to buy and sell excess energy within their communities, fostering energy independence and sustainability. Furthermore, advancements in battery technology, such as solid-state batteries and flow batteries, are enhancing the performance and reliability of energy storage systems. Solid-state batteries offer higher energy density, faster charging rates, and improved safety compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Flow batteries, on the other hand, provide scalability and long-duration storage capabilities, making them suitable for grid-scale applications. Integrating these advanced battery technologies with 5G-enabled monitoring and control systems enhances the overall resilience and flexibility of the energy infrastructure. In addition to technological advancements, driving innovation in energy and telecommunications requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, industry players, and research institutions. Policies and regulations should incentivize the deployment of next-generation energy storage and 5G infrastructure, promote interoperability standards, and ensure data privacy and security. Public-private partnerships can facilitate the investment and deployment of innovative solutions, while research and development initiatives can spur further technological advancements. Driving innovation in energy and telecommunications through next-generation energy storage and 5G technology is essential for building a sustainable, connected, and resilient future. By leveraging advanced energy storage systems, smart grids, and 5G-enabled communication networks, we can optimize energy usage, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the reliability and efficiency of our energy infrastructure. Collaboration and investment across various sectors are key to unlocking the full potential of these transformative technologies and achieving a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come. Keywords: Innovation, Energy, Telecommunications, Next-Generation, 5G technology, Enhanced connectivity.

ABSTRACTElectrochromic energy storage devices (EESDs) have emerged as innovative technologies in energy storage and smart materials, generating considerable interest for numerous applications, such as wearables, smart windows, and color‐changing sunglasses. EESDs consist of two primary categories: electrochromic supercapacitors (ESCs) and electrochromic batteries (ECBs). These devices are particularly appreciated for their multifunctional features, which allow them to alter color in response to different charge densities. The performance and efficiency of EESDs rely on three essential components: (I) the current collector or substrate (cc/substrate), which serves as the conductive base for the device; (II) the electrolyte, which supports ion movement and improves overall electrochemical performance; and (III) the electrochromic materials (ECMs), responsible for the color changes and energy storage functions. Careful selection and optimization of these components are crucial for enhancing the devices' efficiency, stability, and lifespan. Advanced flexible and stretchable EESDs have shown significant potential. Their natural flexibility facilitates seamless incorporation into curved surfaces and diverse shapes, making them especially suitable for wearable technologies and other cutting‐edge applications. However, this flexibility also brings challenges, including concerns related to delamination, material dissociation, and degradation over time. A thorough investigation of materials for flexible EESDs is essential for progressing energy conversion and storage systems. Grasping these materials is vital for creating sustainable energy solutions and improving smart capabilities.

Empowering smart grid: A comprehensive review of energy storage technology and application with renewable energy integration

Energy conversion, consumption, and storage technologies are essential for a sustainable energy ecosystem. Energy storage technologies like batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells bridge the gap between energy conversion and consumption, ensuring a reliable energy supply. From ancient methods to modern advancements, research has focused on improving energy storage devices. Challenges remain, including performance, environmental impact and cost, but ongoing research aims to overcome these limitations. A special issue titled "Recent Advances in Electrochemical Energy Storage" presents cutting-edge progress and inspiring further development in energy storage technologies.

Overview of compressed air energy storage projects and regulatory framework for energy storage