Energy Storage Options Research Articles

Developing a numerical model for microbial methanation in a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir

Biological methanation is a promising option for CO2 utilization and energy storage. While the underground condition is not appropriate for a methanation reaction, microorganisms act as a catalyst and make the reaction possible. This study investigates the performance of biological methanation in depleted gas reservoirs using numerical simulation. To do this, a one-dimensional synthetic homogeneous depleted gas reservoir is modeled with the two-phase flow comprising components H2, CO2, CH4, and H2O. Then, the simultaneous injection of CO2 and H2 into the reservoir is numerically simulated to evaluate the methane production rate in MATLAB Reservoir Simulation Toolbox (MRST) open-source software. Long-term results show propagating composition waves and pressure profiles. Sensitivity analysis reveals that methane production is positively correlated with the initial reservoir pressure and the number of methanogenic microorganisms, but negatively correlated with the temperature and the bacterial decay rate. The bacterial growth rate has an insignificant effect on methane production in this model. The bacterial population is the most critical parameter, as 1e7 methanogenic microorganisms per cubic meter of aqueous phase can produce 96% pure methane after 12 years. Overall, the work demonstrates harnessing in-situ bio-reactions to utilize CO2 and recover depleted gas reservoirs.

Mixture electrolyte suppressing water-induced parasitic reactions on Zn anode by tuning multilayer solvating structure

Though aqueous zinc ion batteries have been identified as a feasible option for energy storage, there are still some challenges that block the development of aqueous zinc ion battery, especially the issues from zinc metal anode. Tuning solvating structure of Zn2+ and adjusting the electrolyte in recent years is considered to be a simple but potential strategy to improve stability of zinc anode. In this work, a mixture electrolyte was obtained by dessolving LiTFSI/TEGDME Li-O2 battery electrolyte into 2 M aqueous ZnSO4 solution to tune solvating structure and adjust the striping/plating process of anode. Molecular spectrum and X-ray based method clarified that the mixture electrolyte plays dual functions to protect anode during electrochemical process. From one aspect, TEGDME partially replaced water and reconstructed a new multilayer solvating shell with TFSI-, which is beneficial for fast dendrite-free deposition. From the other aspect, surface spectrum also revealed that due to the participation of Li+ and TFSI-, a surface layer with ZnOHS framework and ZnF2 fillings formed on anode which further inhibit the dendrite growth and stabilize anode. This work combines the method of tuning solvation structure and construct SEI together and opens a new view designing new electrolytes for aqueous Zn-ion battery.

Ortho- to para-hydrogen catalytic conversion kinetics

Hydrogen is a widely considered energy storage option. Hydrogen liquefaction allows for a substantial increase in volumetric energy density; the required conversion of ortho-hydrogen (o-H2) to para-hydrogen (p-H2) is however one of several challenges. This conversion requires a catalyst for sufficiently rapid kinetics, however available conversion data is sparse. To this end, a high throughput ortho-hydrogen (o-H2) to para-hydrogen (p-H2) conversion apparatus is detailed. This enables measurements at a controlled temperature of 77 K via the use of in-situ Raman Spectroscopy for quantitative determination of the ortho-para composition. Conversion kinetic data were acquired for a hydrous ferric oxide catalyst. These data were in reasonable agreement with limited existing literature, thus providing some validation for the use of conversion kinetic models, derived from such data, in hydrogen liquefaction design. Kinetic data was acquired using hydrogen provided via electrolysis; the effect of impurity (H2O) carry-over on conversion kinetics is considered.

Assessment of prosumer-based energy system for rural areas by using TRNSYS software

The prosumers are the new performers progressing towards a low-carbon future. Renewable-based power generation is essential, even in rural areas, to pave a path toward sustainable development. This study establishes a simulation model for two identical residential buildings to assess the prosumer's impact on future local (standalone) energy systems. According to the climate condition of Pakistan, the technical, economic, and environmental performance of the standalone system is evaluated using TRNSYS software. Assumptions and modeling of different components, photovoltaic (PV) panels, and batteries are also discussed. This study provides the starting point of a real-time framework of energy trade between two rural houses connected with a common microgrid. Both houses are medium-sized family houses with almost identical electricity demands. One house has PV mounted on the rooftop, with the battery as an optimal energy storage option. Attention is given to peak demand management and surplus energy during enough production hours. A dynamic energy management approach between two buildings is proposed based on TRNSYS and blockchain. Simulation results show that the real-time implementation of local energy production and energy trading at the household level facilitates achieving the dual benefits of reducing consumer costs and maximizing self-consumption.

Energy Storage in Urban Areas: The Role of Energy Storage Facilities, a Review

Positive Energy Districts can be defined as connected urban areas, or energy-efficient and flexible buildings, which emit zero greenhouse gases and manage surpluses of renewable energy production. Energy storage is crucial for providing flexibility and supporting renewable energy integration into the energy system. It can balance centralized and distributed energy generation, while contributing to energy security. Energy storage can respond to supplement demand, provide flexible generation, and complement grid development. Photovoltaics and wind turbines together with solar thermal systems and biomass are widely used to generate electricity and heating, respectively, coupled with energy system storage facilities for electricity (i.e., batteries) or heat storage using latent or sensible heat. Energy storage technologies are crucial in modern grids and able to avoid peak charges by ensuring the reliability and efficiency of energy supply, while supporting a growing transition to nondepletable power sources. This work aims to broaden the scientific and practical understanding of energy storage in urban areas in order to explore the flexibility potential in adopting feasible solutions at district scale where exploiting the space and resource-saving systems. The main objective is to present and critically discuss the available options for energy storage that can be used in urban areas to collect and distribute stored energy. The concerns regarding the installation and use of Energy Storage Systems are analyzed by referring to regulations, and technical and environmental requirements, as part of broader distribution systems, or as separate parts. Electricity, heat energy, and hydrogen are the most favorable types of storage. However, most of them need new regulations, technological improvement, and dissemination of knowledge to all people with the aim of better understanding the benefits provided.

Preparation and Photothermal Properties of Accordion‐Like MXene/Sodium Acetate Trihydrate Composite Phase Change Materials

Phase change materials (PCMs) are promising options for thermal energy storage. Combining sodium acetate trihydrate (SAT) with MXene, the composite phase change materials (CPCMs) have been prepared. The surface morphology, thermal storage performance, and solar energy photothermal conversion efficiency of the CPCMs with various MXene contents are analyzed. According to the microstructure morphology analysis, MXene is accordion‐shaped, and tightly associated with SAT. Differential scanning calorimetry measurement results show that CPCMs possess high latent heat and suitable phase change temperature for the applications of solar heat storage. The absorption wavelength range of SAT/MXene is extended from 200–258 nm to 200–497.7 nm with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 81.3%. SAT/MXene‐2%, SAT/MXene‐8%, and SAT/MXene‐14% have thermal conductivities of 0.84, 1.14, and 1.47 W/ (m · K), respectively, which are higher by 44.9%, 96.6%, and 153.4% than 0.59 W/ (m · K) of pure SAT. CPCMs exhibit excellent thermal stability and reliable cycling stability after 50 cycles, which show that MXene can prevent leakage during the solid‐liquid phase transition process. The expansion of PCM's practical applicability and MXene/SAT composites with good photothermal characteristics create a theoretical foundation for the effective use of renewable energy sources.

Amphoteric Polymer Strategy with Buffer‐Adsorption Mechanism for Long‐Life Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

AbstractWater‐based secondary batteries with multivalent metals anode provide a promising option for energy storage with low cost and high security. However, the electrochemical performance of aqueous Zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) is mainly restricted by problems such as poor reversibility and hydrogen evolution. Herein, an “amphoteric polymer strategy” with buffer‐adsorption mechanism for AZIBs is proposed by introducing poly‐L‐Glutamic Acid (PGA) into the electrolyte. Amphoteric polymer enriched functional carboxyl and amino groups confer high compatibility of the Zn metal anodes as well as the relative stability of the bulk electrolyte pH simultaneously. Partial PGA molecules distributed in bulk electrolyte dynamically dissociate to stabilize pH and correspondingly slow down the generation of inert components, while others specifically adsorbed on zinc foil can relieve electrochemical corrosion and induce dendrite‐free uniform Zn deposition. Consequently, long‐term cycling stability (>1650 h) and high levels of reversibility (Coulombic efficiency>99.5%) of Zn anode are harvested in 2 m ZnSO4 electrolyte with only 0.5 wt% of PGA. In addition, when coupled with Zn0.25V2O5(ZVO) cathode, the full cell exhibits higher capacity retention and less pH fluctuation. This work reveals a novel buffer‐adsorption mechanism offered by amphoteric functional polymer, and provides a new additive design principle for rechargeable AZIBs.

Incorporating LLTO ceramic into PVDF/PEO polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion capacitor

Hybrid supercapacitors are a prominent energy storage option for electric vehicles because they have high power and energy densities. Electrolyte plays a major role in hybrid supercapacitor performance. Our report is on a ceramic composite polymer electrolyte made from poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)/ Lithium Lanthanum titanate (LLTO), which we analyzed for its structure, thermal behavior, and electrical characteristics. The different weight percentages (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt% and 40 wt%) of LLTO were incorporated into the PVDF/PEO polymer blends to study the performance of the electrolyte by FTIR, microscopic analysis, TGA, and impedance spectroscopy. Based on the results, 40 wt% of LLTO containing CPE showed high liquid electrolyte uptake behaviour (275 %) and a high ionic conductivity value (3.94 mS/cm). In addition, incorporating LLTO affects the PVDF/PEO polymer backbone and enhances the amorphicity of polymer blends. This result enhances the polymer segmental motion and reduces the relaxation time. We fabricated hybrid supercapacitor coin cells using 10 wt% and 40 wt% of LLTO containing composite polymer electrolyte and tested them. The 40 wt% LLTO-containing CPE-based hybrid supercapacitor possesses a high specific capacitance value (182F/g) and a long cycle life (upto10000 cycles).

Switchable Charge Storage Mechanism via in Situ Activation of MXene Enables High Capacitance and Stability in Aqueous Electrolytes.

The need for reliable renewable energy storage devices has become increasingly important. However, the performance of current electrochemical energy storage devices is limited by either low energy or power densities and short lifespans. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of multilayer Ti4N3Tx MXene in various aqueous electrolytes. We demonstrate that Ti4N3Tx can be electrochemically activated through continuous cation intercalation over a 10 day period using cyclic voltammetry. A wide operating window of 2 V is maintained throughout activation. After activation, capacitance at 2 mV s-1 increases by 300%, 140%, and 500% in 1 M H2SO4, 1 M MgSO4, and 1 M KOH, respectively, while maintaining ∼600 F g-1 at 2 mV s-1 after 50000 cycles in 1 M H2SO4. This activation process is possibly attributed to the unique morphology of the multilayered material, allowing cation intercalation to increase access to redox-active sites between layers. This work adds to the growing repository of electrochemically stable MXenes reported for aqueous energy storage applications. These findings offer a reliable option for reliable energy storage devices with potential applications in large-scale grid storage and electric vehicles.

Chemical Framework to Design Linear-like Relaxors toward Capacitive Energy Storage.

ABO3-type perovskite relaxor ferroelectrics (RFEs) have emerged as the preferred option for dielectric capacitive energy storage. However, the compositional design of RFEs with high energy density and efficiency poses significant challenges owing to the vast compositional space and the absence of general rules. Here, we present an atomic-level chemical framework that captures inherent characteristics in terms of radius and ferroelectric activity of ions. By categorizing A/B-site ions as host framework, rattling, ferroelectrically active, and blocking ions and assembling these four types of ions with specific criteria, linear-like relaxors with weak locally correlated and highly extendable unit-cell polarization vectors can be constructed. As example, we demonstrate two new compositions of Bi0.5K0.5TiO3-based and BaTiO3-based relaxors, showing extremely high recoverable energy densities of 17.3 and 12.1 J cm-3, respectively, both with a high efficiency of about 90%. Further, the role of different types of ions in forming heterogeneous polar structures is identified through element-specific local structure analysis using neutron total scattering combined with reverse Monte Carlo modeling. Our work not only opens up new avenues toward rational compositional design of high energy storage performance lead-free RFEs but also sheds light on atomic-level manipulation of functional properties in compositionally complex ferroelectrics.

Revitalizing lead-acid battery technology: a comprehensive review on material and operation-based interventions with a novel sound-assisted charging method

This comprehensive review examines the enduring relevance and technological advancements in lead-acid battery (LAB) systems despite competition from lithium-ion batteries. LABs, characterized by their extensive commercial application since the 19th century, boast a high recycling rate. They are commonly used in large-scale energy storage and as backup sources in various applications. This study delves into the primary challenges facing LABs, notably their short cycle life, and the mechanisms underlying capacity decline, such as sulfation, grid corrosion, and positive active material (PAM) degradation. We present an in-depth analysis of various material-based interventions, including active material expanders, grid alloying, and electrolyte additives, designed to mitigate these aging mechanisms. These interventions include using barium sulfate and carbon additives to reduce sulfation, implementing lead-calcium-tin alloys for grid stability, and incorporating boric and phosphoric acids in electrolytes for enhanced performance. In contrast, operation-based strategies focus on optimizing battery management during operation. These include modifying charging algorithms, employing desulfation techniques, and integrating novel approaches such as reflex and electroacoustic charging. The latter, a promising technique, involves using sound waves to enhance the electrochemical processes and potentially prolong the cycle life of LABs. Initial findings suggest that electroacoustic charging could revitalize interest in LAB technology, offering a sustainable and economically viable option for renewable energy storage. The review evaluates the techno-economic implications of improved LAB cycle life, particularly in renewable energy storage. It underscores the potential of extending LAB cycle life through material and operation-based strategies, including the innovative application of electroacoustic charging, to enhance the competitiveness of LABs in the evolving energy storage market.

A novel hydrogen liquefaction process using dual mixed cryogenic refrigeration system: Energy, exergy, and economic analysis

In conventional hydrogen liquefaction plants, the liquefaction process consumes high portion of about 30 % of the liquid hydrogen (LH2) energy content. In addition, existing LH2 technology uses pure or single mixed refrigerants, which are susceptible to freezing problems. To address these challenges, this study introduces an innovative hydrogen liquefaction process utilizing dual mixed refrigeration (DMR) system. This process incorporates two interactive mixed refrigerants in two integrated refrigeration loops, offering flexible capability to handle large-scale capacities with minimal energy consumption and free of freezing problems. The proposed process achieved extremely low specific energy consumption (SEC) of 3.732 kWh/kgLH2, 48 % lower than the average SEC of the large-scale single mixed refrigerant (SMR) systems (7.128 kWh/kgLH2). Also, its exergy efficiency (59.65 %) is 33 % higher than the average exergy efficiency of the SMR-based systems (44.89 %). Furthermore, the proposed DMR-based process reduces the levelized cost of liquid hydrogen production to 1.89 $/kgLH2, which is 70 % lower than the small-scale processes and 21 % lower than the average cost of the large-scale SMR-based systems. This study of the dual mixed cryogenic refrigeration approach provides new methodology and guidelines for future research to significantly improve the technical and economic feasibility of LH2 production, making it competitive with other energy storage and transportation options.

Energy Storage Deployment and Benefits in the Chinese Electricity Market Considering Renewable Energy Uncertainty and Energy Storage Life Cycle Costs

The construction and development of energy storage are crucial areas in the reform of China’s power system. However, one of the key issues hindering energy storage investments is the ambiguity of revenue sources and the inaccurate estimation of returns. In order to facilitate investors’ understanding of revenue sources and returns on investment of energy storage in the existing electricity market, this study has established multiple relevant revenue quantification models. The research methodology employed in this paper consists of three main components: Firstly, we established a revenue model and a cost model for energy storage participation in the electricity market. These models focus on arbitrage revenue, subsidy revenue, auxiliary services revenue, investment cost, operational and maintenance cost, and auxiliary service cost of energy storage. Subsequently, we utilized an enhanced Grey Wolf Optimizer algorithm to solve the optimization problem and maximize revenue, thus obtaining the optimal capacity and revenue scale of energy storage in the electricity market. Finally, we compared the whole-lifecycle ROI of different energy storage options in various scenarios. The evaluation results demonstrate that the difference between peak and off-peak loads impacts the investment demand and charging/discharging depth of energy storage. In addition, the discrepancy between peak and off-peak prices affects the arbitrage return of energy storage. These two factors can serve as criteria for energy storage investors to assess their return expectations. When solely considering economic returns and disregarding technical factors, pumped storage energy storage emerges as the most suitable mechanical energy storage option requiring investment. The main contribution of this study lies in the estimation of the lifecycle investment returns for various energy storage technologies in the Chinese electricity market, thus providing valuable insights for the investment and operational practices of market participants.

Weakly solvating aqueous-based electrolyte facilitated by a soft co-solvent for extreme temperature operations of zinc-ion batteries

The weakly solvating electrolyte achieves optimized interface chemistry and good temperature adaptability for aqueous zinc ion batteries.

Advancements in 2D MXene-based supercapacitor electrodes: synthesis, mechanisms, electronic structure engineering, flexible wearable energy storage for real-world applications, and future prospects

Supercapacitors are widely recognized as a favorable option for energy storage due to their higher power density compared to batteries, despite their lower energy density.

Advancements and assessment of compressed carbon dioxide energy storage technologies: a comprehensive review

Compressed CO2 energy storage (CCES) is a promising energy storage option with benefits like easy liquefaction, high density, and environmental compatibility.

Life Cycle Analysis of Energy Storage Technologies: A Comparative Study

This study offers a thorough comparative analysis of the life cycle assessment of three significant energy storage technologies—Lithium-Ion Batteries, Flow Batteries, and Pumped Hydro—evaluating their environmental, economic, and social aspects in a complete manner. When considering the environmental effect, it is evident that Lithium-Ion Batteries surpass Flow Batteries and Pumped Hydro in terms of carbon footprint, water use, and land utilization. Flow Batteries and Pumped Hydro exhibit significant decreases, ranging from 40% to 60%, showcasing their potential as ecologically sound alternatives with heightened sustainability advantages. From an economic standpoint, it can be confidently said that Flow Batteries and Pumped Hydro surpass Lithium-Ion Batteries in terms of both capital and operational expenses, resulting in a decreased Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS). The examination of percentage change showcases significant decreases, ranging from 20% to 50%, underscoring the economic competitiveness of Flow Batteries and Pumped Hydro. Regarding societal consequences, Flow Batteries and Pumped Hydro exhibit a propensity for heightened job production, augmented community acceptability, and enhanced health and safety records in contrast to Lithium-Ion Batteries. The assessments of percentage change further underscore the societal benefits of Flow Batteries and Pumped Hydro, demonstrating a substantial increase of 40% to 100% in job creation, a notable rise of 6.25% to 12.5% in community acceptability, and a significant decrease of 50% to 75% in health and safety problems. These results jointly emphasize the comprehensive benefits of Flow Batteries and Pumped Hydro, indicating their potential as sustainable, cost-effective, and socially responsible energy storage options. Given the ongoing evolution of the energy landscape, the findings obtained from this research greatly enhance the ability of stakeholders and policymakers to make well-informed decisions in their efforts to design a more environmentally friendly and robust energy future. The study emphasizes the significance of taking into account not only the technological efficacy, but also the wider environmental, economic, and social circumstances when implementing energy storage technology.

Fabrication and Performance of Symmetric Flow Battery Systems Incorporating Novel Pyridinium Anolytes

The push to bring more renewable energy sources onto the grid has spawned a flurry of work to develop viable options for long duration energy storage. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) represent one of the most attractive possibilities, and research toward employing redox-active organic materials to improve or replace the incumbent commercially available vanadium-based RFB technology is burgeoning. In particular, numerous pyridinium-based salts have been extensively studied as anolytes in both aqueous and nonaqueous RFBs. We have recently reported a series of readily synthetically accessible 2,6-dimethyl-4-arylpyridinium compounds that display quite negative reduction potentials (ca. -1.55 to -1.8 V vs Fc/Fc+), along with high solubility and excellent electrochemical kinetics. Some of these materials are also extremely persistent in the reduced state, suggesting that they may be good candidates for RFB applications.In this presentation, we will describe the preparation and properties of new pyridinium compounds from the corresponding pyrylium precursors, as well as the fabrication of symmetric RFB systems in which these materials are covalently linked to phenothiazine or ferrocene catholyte moieties. Synthesis, solubility, and electrochemical performance (including preliminary RFB cycling data) of these materials will also be discussed.

Catalyst Degradation Mechanism Study of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Based on Electrodeposition

Lithium-sulfur batteries have emerged as a promising option for next-generation energy storage devices due to their high energy density and low cost. However, the two main obstacles for practical Li-S batteries are the notorious lithium polysulfide intermediate shuttle and the sluggish kinetics of sulfur cathodes, especially under lean electrolyte conditions. In this work, we propose a detailed plan to gain insight into the catalyst degradation mechanism based on electrodeposition by controlling the nucleation and deposition orientation of lithium sulfide. Firstly, we will explain why catalysts can be easily prepared by electrodeposition as cathode hosts, and others do not. Next, the key factors affecting catalysts' deactivation and cell degradation will be disclosed. Then, different types of metal catalysts with suitable particle sizes will be developed that are highly active and selective for Li-S cells. Ultimately, extensive data analysis will be performed to visualize the data and discover generalized rules for structure-activity correlation.

Sulfide-Based Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: An in-Depth Study of the Li-Electrolyte Interface

The development of solid-state batteries has gained significant attention in recent years, owing to their potential to enhance the temperature range and energy density of energy storage devices. Sulfide-based electrolytes are some of the most promising candidates for solid-state batteries, thanks to their high ionic conductivity and low processing temperature. For lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, the transition from liquid to solid electrolytes holds even greater promise. Sulfur is a readily available cathode material known for its high specific capacity, which endows Li-S batteries with remarkable specific energy and favourable environmental and economic impact. In liquid electrolytes however, the solubility of sulfur and lithium polysulfide causes a multitude of issues that hamper the performance of the Li-S system: rapid self-discharge, redox shuttle mechanism during charging, and loss of active sulfur and lithium material due to direct chemical reactivity. Solid-state Li-S cells are not prone to these issues, but they have, of course, issues of their own. Amongst them, the stability of the interface between the electrolyte and the lithium is of crucial importance to allow the use of this very high energy density negative electrode.In the present study, we compare two sulfide electrolytes, Li6PS5Cl and Li7P3S11, and assess their respective stability against lithium. We used innovative methods to characterize the interphase between the sulfide and the lithium without damaging it upon dismantling the cell. The nature and the properties of this interphase was characterised via EIS, XPS and ToF-SIMS.The EIS study showed that Li6PS5Cl forms a much more stable interphase with lithium than Li7P3S11, which is in accordance with most recent results in the literature. The XPS study confirmed the chemical composition of the interphase. Li2S and Li3P were present for both electrolytes. In the case of Li6PS5Cl, LiCl was also identified as expected. Gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) assisted abrasion of the interphase followed by in-situ XPS and ToF-SIMS suggested a separation of the components of the interphase depending on the depth of the abrasion. The interphase was found to be organised as Li2S-, Li3P- or LiCl-rich discrete layers, with the Li2S-rich layer being consistently the closest to lithium. This result confirms and completes the most recent research in the field published by Otto et al. in 2022 (doi: 10.1002/admi.202102387).To establish solid-state batteries as a practical energy storage option, it is essential to fully understand and effectively manage the Li-electrolyte interface. These findings suggest that thanks to the relative stability of its interface with lithium, Li6PS5Cl is the better option for solid-state lithium metal cells. It also sheds light on the reasons why this interface is more stable. The self-assembled lamellar structure of the interphase could also inspire strategies to better control the stability of solid electrolytes versus lithium.