Large-scale Battery Energy Storage Research Articles

A Stirred Self-Stratified Battery for Large-Scale Energy Storage

Summary Large-scale energy storage batteries are crucial in effectively utilizing intermittent renewable energy (such as wind and solar energy). To reduce battery fabrication costs, we propose a minimal-design stirred battery with a gravity-driven self-stratified architecture that contains a zinc anode at the bottom, an aqueous electrolyte in the middle, and an organic catholyte on the top. Due to the solubility difference, the positive redox species are strictly confined to the upper organic catholyte. Thus, self-discharge is eliminated, even when the battery is stirred to realize high-rate charge-discharge. Moreover, the battery intrinsically avoids electrode deterioration and failure related to membrane crossover suffered by other types of cells. Therefore, it exhibits excellent cycling stability, which is promising for long-term energy storage.

Optimal control strategy for large-scale VRB energy storage auxiliary power system in peak shaving

Large-scale battery energy storage is an inevitable trend in energy storage development. The large-scale all-vanadium liquid-flow battery energy storage system contains a large number of battery energy storage units. Current operation methods usually study large-scale energy storage as an equivalent model. There is a lack of optimization for the operation of modular energy storage units. Efficient and stable operation of large-scale energy storage needs to coordinate the operation of various energy storage units. A battery simulation model was built according to the working mechanism and external characteristics of the vanadium redox battery (VRB). Based on the simulation model, the voltage and current loss characteristics of the vanadium redox battery under the rated power charging and discharging mode were studied. Based on the model, the change in charging and discharging efficiency under different powers is measured. The power–efficiency coupling relationship is studied. The power–efficiency coupling relationship provides the basis for power allocation with the aim of optimizing efficiency. Then, combining the structure of the large-scale vanadium redox battery energy storage system and the power–efficiency coupling relationship, a large-scale energy storage system efficiency mathematical model is constructed. In a peak shaving scenario, aiming at optimizing the efficiency of the energy storage system and according to the efficiency mathematical model of the large-scale energy storage system, a coordinated and optimized operation strategy of the energy storage module is proposed. This module improves the efficiency of the energy storage system.

Logistics Design for Mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems

Currently, there are three major barriers toward a greener energy landscape in the future: (a) Curtailed grid integration of energy from renewable sources like wind and solar; (b) The low investment attractiveness of large-scale battery energy storage systems; and, (c) Constraints from the existing electric infrastructure on the development of charging station networks to meet the increasing electrical transportation demands. A new conceptual design of mobile battery energy storage systems has been proposed in recent studies to reduce the curtailment of renewable energy while limiting the public costs of battery energy storage systems. This work designs a logistics system in which electric semi-trucks ship batteries between the battery energy storage system and electric vehicle charging stations, enabling the planning and operation of power grid independent electric vehicle charging station networks. This solution could be viable in many regions in the United States (e.g., Texas) where there are plenty of renewable resources and little congestion pressure on the road networks. With Corpus Christi, Texas and the neighboring Chapman Ranch wind farm as the test case, this work implement such a design and analyze its performance based on the simulation of its operational processes. Further, we formulate an optimization problem to find design parameters that minimize the total costs. The main design parameters include the number of trucks and batteries. The results in this work, although preliminary, will be instrumental for potential stakeholders to make investment or policy decisions.

A long lifespan potassium-ion full battery based on KVPO4F cathode and VPO4 anode

K-ion batteries are promising alternatives to Li-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage, owing to the abundance of potassium resources and low cost of raw materials. The search and improvement for electrode materials are critical to obtain high safety and high efficiency potassium-ion full batteries. Here we synthesize a well-constructed KVPO4F with primary particles embedded in carbon framework. The as-obtained KVPO4F manifests a high capacity of 103 mAh g−1 (at 20 mA g−1), stable cycle life to 900 cycles (at 1 A g−1) and excellent high-rate capacity of 87.6 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1. For the first time, we assemble K-ion full batteries based on KVPO4F/VPO4 with a high capacity of 101 mAh g−1 (controlled by cathode), high operating voltage of 3.1 V, and a capacity retention of 86.8% over 2000 cycles.

An aqueous manganese–lead battery for large-scale energy storage

A manganese–lead battery based on MnO2/Mn2+ cathodic reaction and PbSO4/Pb anodic reaction was demonstrated. With an optimized deposition behavior and high solubility of MnO2, high areal capacity (50 mA h cm−2) and energy density (187 W h L−1) can be obtained.

Akron Section Award to Yiying Wu

Yiying Wu, a chemistry professor at the Ohio State University, is the winner of the 2019 Akron Section Award, given by the American Chemical Society Akron Section to a promising, young industrial or academic scientist. The award consists of $1,000 and a plaque. Wu’s research is at the interface of synthetic molecular chemistry, solid-state materials chemistry, and photoelectrochemistry. He is working on dye-sensitized solar cells, metal-air batteries, and photoelectrocatalysts for solar fuels. He will receive the award on Nov. 1 at the University of Akron. He will give two presentations: “Materials Chemistry for K-O2 Battery and Solar Fuels” and “K-Air Battery for Large-Scale Energy Storage.” Please send announcements of awards to l_wang@acs.org.

Hollow Multihole Carbon Bowls: A Stress-Release Structure Design for High-Stability and High-Volumetric-Capacity Potassium-Ion Batteries.

Potassium-ion batteries are potential alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage considering the low cost and high abundance of potassium. However, it is challenging to obtain stable electrode materials capable of undergoing long-term potassiation/depotassiation due to the high accumulated stress associated with the huge volume variation of the electrode. Here, we simulate the von Mises stress distributions of four different carbon three-dimensional models under an isotropic initial stress by the finite element method and reveal the critical role of the structure of a hollow multihole bowl on the strain-relaxation behavior. In this regard, nitrogen/oxygen codoped carbon hollow multihole bowls (CHMBs) are synthesized via hydrothermal carbonization coupled with an emulsion-templating strategy using biomass as the carbon source. Consistent with our simulation results, the CHMB anode remains stable for over 1000 cycles and delivers a high reversible capacity of 304 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1. In addition to the reduced stress accumulation, the good electrochemical performances are also attributed to the surface capacitive mechanism and the shortened electron/ion transport distance in CHMBs. In particular, the CHMB composite electrode has a volumetric specific capacity 56% higher than that of hollow spheres due to the high tapped density of the bowl-shaped particles.

Sb2S3 nanocrystals embedded in multichannel N-doped carbon nanofiber for ultralong cycle life sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries with potentially low cost is an alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage. However, developing high energy density and ultralong cycle life electrodes for sodium-ion batteries is a key issue due to the larger radius of Na+ than Li+ and the sluggish sodium intercalation kinetics. One-step electrospinning process has been applied to synthesis Sb2S3 nanocrystals hosted in multichannel porous N-doped carbon nanofiber (CNF). Sb2S3 nanoparticles with diameter of 10–50 nm were uniformly embedded in CNF, while the multichannel pores of CNF act as a buffer to restrict the volume expansion of Sb2S3 during cycling. Sb2S3@N-doped carbon nanofiber (Sb2S3@CNF) delivered a specific capacity of 311 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 with a capacity retention of 87% after 1000 cycles at 1A g−1, corresponding to a capacity decay rate of only 0.013% per cycle. Benefited from the unique multichannel mesoporous structure, charge storage of Sb2S3@CNF is mainly contributed by a surface capacitive process indicating significantly enhanced mass diffusion properties. The as-developed nanofibers with a cylindrical porous structure by a one-step electrospinning method can be an excellent host for electroactive materials to achieve ultralong cycle life.

Integration of Renewable Energy Sources by Load Shifting and Utilizing Value Storage

The Integration of renewable energy resources suffers from two fundamental issues: variability, and uncertainty of power output. These issues hinder the integration of renewable resources with the existing grid. This paper addresses these issues and proposes a new methodology to minimize the impact of intermittency by offering an alternative approach for energy storage. The concept of value storage is introduced as an alternative to energy storage to replace the typical large-scale battery energy storage system. The concept refers to the storage of excess renewable energy as products from industrial loads instead of the energy itself which enables a demand side management technique to be applied, namely, load shifting for some industrial plants. A hybrid Photovoltaic-wind turbine generator PV-WTG and storage system is proposed to penetrate the existing electric grid, with significant cost savings by displacing the conventional energy generation in a fossil fuel-rich location. A size optimization based on differential system cost is formulated and solved by an enhanced genetic algorithm technique. Uncertainty impact studies were done by incorporating multiple scenarios and comprehensive sensitivity analysis.

Modeling a Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage System for Power Grid Application Analysis

The interest in modeling the operation of large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) for analyzing power grid applications is rising. This is due to the increasing storage capacity installed in power systems for providing ancillary services and supporting nonprogrammable renewable energy sources (RES). BESS numerical models suitable for grid-connected applications must offer a trade-off, keeping a high accuracy even with limited computational effort. Moreover, they are asked to be viable in modeling for real-life equipment, and not just accurate in the simulation of the electrochemical section. The aim of this study is to develop a numerical model for the analysis of the grid-connected BESS operation; the main goal of the proposal is to have a test protocol based on standard equipment and just based on charge/discharge tests, i.e., a procedure viable for a BESS owner without theoretical skills in electrochemistry or lab procedures, and not requiring the ability to disassemble the BESS in order to test each individual component. The BESS model developed is characterized by an experimental campaign. The test procedure itself is framed in the context of this study and adopted for the experimental campaign on a commercial large-scale BESS. Once the model is characterized by the experimental parameters, it undergoes the verification and validation process by testing its accuracy in simulating the provision of frequency regulation. A case study is presented for the sake of presenting a potential application of the model. The procedure developed and validated is replicable in any other facility, due to the low complexity of the proposed experimental set. This could help stakeholders to accurately simulate several layouts of network services.

A novel tin-bromine redox flow battery for large-scale energy storage

The redox flow battery (RFB) is among the most promising large-scale energy storage technologies for intermittent renewables, but its cost and cycle life still remain challenging for commercialization. This work proposes and demonstrates a high-performance, low-cost and long-life tin-bromine redox flow battery (Sn/Br RFB) with the Br-mixed electrolyte. The coulombic efficiency and energy efficiency of the Sn/Br RFB reach 97.6% and 82.6% at a high operating current density of 200 mA cm−2, respectively. The peak power density at 50% state-of-charge achieves 673 and 824 mW cm−2 at 15 and 35 °C, respectively, which is among the highest performance of hybrid RFBs. To address the Sn cross-contamination issue, a Sn reverse-electrodeposition method is demonstrated, and achieves in-situ capacity recovery as well as long cycle life. Moreover, the active material cost of the Br-mixed electrolyte is merely $54 kWh−1, while capital cost of the Sn/Br RFB is estimated to be as low as $193 kWh−1 for 4-hour electricity discharge, and expected to reduce to $148 kWh−1 at the optimistic scenario in the future. With high cell performance, in-situ capacity recovery and inexpensive active materials, the Sn/Br RFB is believed to offer a promising solution for massive electricity storage.

Porous cube-like Mn3O4@C as an advanced cathode for low-cost neutral zinc-ion battery

Mn3O4 is regarded as one of the potential cathode materials for neutral zinc-ion battery, due to its high discharge capacity, low cost, and environmental benignity. Unfortunately, the bulk Mn3O4 presents an inferior electrochemical performance resulting from its poor electrochemical activity. In this paper, cube-like Mn3O4@C material with interconnected pores and carbon layers is synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method followed by calcination. Owing to the high specific surface area, enhanced conductivity and protection of carbon layers, the porous cube-like Mn3O4@C cathode presents excellent electrochemical performances, compared with pure Mn3O4 cathode. Our elaborate zinc-ion battery owns an operating voltage of 1.33 V, an energy density of 429.8 W h kg−1 (based on cathode) at 100 mA g−1, and achievable capacity of 102.3 mAh g−1 at a quite high rate of 2000 mA g−1, as well as maintains a capacity retention of 77.1% over 200 cycles at 500 mA g−1. Our findings enable Mn3O4 as a promising cathode candidate in low-cost neutral zinc-ion battery for large-scale energy storage.

A feasibility study on integrating large-scale battery energy storage systems with combined cycle power generation – Setting the bottom line

Strong attention has been given to the costs and benefits of integrating battery energy storage systems (BESS) with intermittent renewable energy systems. What's neglected is the feasibility of integrating BESS into the existing fossil-dominated power generation system to achieve economic and environmental objectives. In response, a life cycle cost-benefit analysis method is introduced in this study taking into consideration three types of battery technologies, namely, vanadium redox flow battery, zinc bromine flow battery, and lithium-iron-phosphate battery. The objective is to evaluate the life cycle carbon emissions and cost of electricity production by combined cycle power generation with grid-connected BESS. Findings from the Singapore case study suggest a potential 3–5% reduction in the life cycle carbon emission factors which could translate to a cumulative carbon emission reduction of 9–16 million tonnes from 2018 to 2030 from electricity generation. Grid-connected BESS could reduce the levelized cost of electricity by 4–7%. A synergistic planning of CCGT and BESS could theoretically reduce the system level power generation capacity by 26% albeit a potential increase in the overall capital cost at the current cost of batteries. The projected battery cost reduction is critical in improving the feasibility of large-scale deployment.

Design of TiO2eC hierarchical tubular heterostructures for high performance potassium ion batteries

Potassium-ion battery (PIB) has been considered as a promising alternative to lithium-ion battery for large-scale energy storage owing to the natural abundance of potassium resources. The lack of suitable anode material is one of the bottlenecks for developing high performance PIBs. In this work, hierarchical HeTiO2eC micro-tubes (MTs) composed of heterostructured TiO2eC nanosheets (NSs) have been fabricated through a facile wet-chemical method. HeTiO2eC MTs demonstrate an enhance K+ accommodation capability, exhibit a high specific capacity (240.8 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1), exceptional rate capability (208.5, 180.1, 114.6 and 97.3 mAh g−1 at 200, 400, 1000, and 2000 mA g−1, respectively), good cycling stability (132.8 mA g−1 at 500 mA g−1 after 1200 cycles). The TiO2/C heterointerface plays a vital role in achieving the excellent electrochemical performance by enhancing affinity between TiO2 and carbon, stabilizing TiO2 and reaction products, providing improved electronic and K+ ions diffusion mobility.

The relevance of large-scale battery energy storage (BES) application in providing primary frequency control with increased wind energy penetration

Abstract Renewable energy sources (RES) based distributed generation (DG) system results reduction of overall system inertia, which is likely to generate higher oscillations in the system during disturbance conditions. Therefore, DG penetration level has a significant impact on system stability and reliability. This study provides an in-depth analysis of battery energy storage system (BESS) impact in providing primary frequency control to support increased wind penetration level. The BESS is modeled as a storage system with DC/AC converter and other associated power electronics interfaces. The objective is to replace the existing synchronous generator in proportion with the increasing penetration level of wind units while maintaining power system stability and reliability. The BESS model is developed in DigSILENT/PowerFactory and the system performances are simulated and compared with and without the BESS considering different disturbances such as single-phase-to-ground fault, and temporary line outage and load demand increment with various DG penetration level. It is shown through simulation results that BESS exhibits the ability to reduce system oscillations following disturbances and supports the increment of DG penetration level in the existing power system. Therefore, BESS can be seen the most viable measure of stability enhancement with renewable oriented sustainable future electric grid.

An Accurate Charging Model of Battery Energy Storage

Battery energy storage is becoming an important part of modern power systems. As such, its operation model needs to be integrated in the state-of-the-art market clearing, system operation, and investment models. However, models that commonly represent operation of a large-scale battery energy storage are inaccurate. A major issue is that they ignore the dependence of the charging power on the battery state of energy. Consequently, market players might suffer great monetary losses for not being able to follow their day-ahead schedule and/or deliver the scheduled reserves. In order to bridge the gap between very detailed low-level battery charging constraints and high-level battery operation models used in the literature, this paper examines a dependence of battery charging ability on its state of energy. It proposes a laboratory procedure, which can be used for any battery type and technology, to obtain this dependence. It also formulates an accurate linear battery charging model, which closely approximates the real-life battery charging constraints. The proposed battery charging model is compared against the models commonly used in the literature. Battery operation schedules obtained by all the models are compared against experimentally obtained results in order to assess the value of the proposed model in real life.

Results of Demonstration Project of Large-scale Battery Energy Storage System for Nishi-Sendai Substation

Results of Demonstration Project of Large-scale Battery Energy Storage System for Nishi-Sendai Substation

Application research on large-scale battery energy storage system under Global Energy Interconnection framework

In the context of constructing Global Energy Interconnection (GEI), energy storage technology, as one of the important basic supporting technologies in power system, will play an important role in the energy configuration and optimization. Based on the most promising battery energy storage technology, this paper introduces the current status of the grid technology, the application of large-scale energy storage technology and the supporting role of battery energy storage for GEI. Based on several key technologies of large-scale battery energy storage system, preliminary analysis of the standard system construction of energy storage system is made, and the future prospect is put forward.

Characterization of carbon felt electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries – A pore network modeling approach

Abstract Carbon felt electrodes are commonly used as porous electrodes in Vanadium redox flow batteries for large-scale energy storage. The transport properties of these electrodes are an important parameter as the transport resistance can form a significant parasitic power loss depending on the configuration of the flow battery. Therefore, to better predict the overall parasitic power losses and devise strategies for the improvement of overall battery efficiency, the transport properties need to be properly understood. In this work, four commercially available carbon felt electrodes have been investigated for their transport properties. It has been shown that the non-activated electrode is hydrophobic in nature, while after activation, the electrodes become hydrophilic. The single-phase diffusion and permeability were found to decrease linearly with an increase in electrode thickness. The imbibition characteristics were similar for the four electrodes, although the change in wettability had a strong impact on the pressure required for the electrolyte to invade into the electrode.

Na2SeO3: A Na-Ion Battery Positive Electrode Material with High Capacity

Recent experimental and theoretical studies on the family of Li-rich layered materials show that they can deliver much higher capacities than traditional Li-transitional metal oxides. This also leads to great interests in Na-rich layered oxides as alternative positive electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage. Herein, we report a Na-rich material, Na2SeO3 with an unconventional layered structure as a positive electrode material in NIBs for the first time. This material can deliver a discharge capacity of 232 mAh g−1 after activation, one of the highest capacities from sodium-based positive electrode materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates the oxidation state of selenium remains unchanged during the charge process. Theoretical simulation shows that after removal of Na, spin is situated around oxygen atoms near the Na vacancy, and the projected density of state of oxygen electron is close to the Fermi level. These suggest the involvement of oxygen during charge-discharge. This work will propel new searches of high-capacity sodium-based positive electrode materials.