Application and Future Trends of Energy Storage System in Power Grids
An Energy Storage System (ESS) is a system that can provide energy storage services in a power system. Since the power supply and consumption of the power system are random and fluctuating, the energy stored in the battery can be transferred to other places to ensure the stability of power supply. By charging and discharging the energy stored in batteries, real-time regulation of the power grid can be achieved. This flexibility helps to mitigate the impact of power system emergencies when they occur and allows users to choose between different power supply options. ESS offers a number of advantages over traditional energy storage systems, such as higher energy density, greater power and higher efficiency. ESS will play an increasingly important role in the grid in the future.
Energy storage in the grid
An ESS is a system of multiple energy storage devices, usually placed in a large grid, that can provide the grid with the energy it needs when it needs it. These energy storage devices include lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, liquid flow batteries, and ultracapacitors.
Energy storage devices for ESS are usually categorized into two types: traditional energy storage systems designed to protect the power supply, and new energy storage systems designed to improve power quality.
In conventional energy storage systems, electrical energy is stored by using a charge/discharge cycle. Since batteries lose energy when discharged, they need to be replaced frequently. While this approach can store more energy, it also reduces the life of the battery and increases the frequency and cost of battery replacement.
In contrast, the new energy storage system does not require frequent battery replacement and can store more energy.
Technical characteristics of ESS
The ESS consists of two parts: the battery and the inverter, which is responsible for transmitting the stored energy to the grid through a circuit to ensure the stability of the power supply. The battery is responsible for storing energy and supporting the bi-directional flow of electricity, thus increasing the flexibility of the system. The energy storage system consists of an inverter and a battery, where the inverter is responsible for converting the electrical energy stored in the battery into alternating current (AC). When power conversion is required, the inverter converts AC power to DC power. The DC power is delivered to the grid and then distributed through the lines to the customer’s equipment. In addition, ESS can be used with electric cars or airplanes to reduce carbon emissions.
ESS in different electricity markets
ESS has different applications in different power markets, such as the EU market, the UK market and the US market.
Future trends
In the future, as the proportion of renewable energy continues to increase, the demand for energy storage in the power system will also increase, and ESS will become an important part of the future power grid. Through the energy storage system, it can better cope with the problems of rising energy prices and changes in power generation structure, thus improving the stability and reliability of the power system.
At present, China’s energy storage technology is mainly based on lithium-ion batteries, which is one of the key technological bottlenecks currently restricting the development of China’s ESS industry. Through technological innovation, introduction, digestion and absorption, talent training and other ways, we can realize the breakthrough of key ESS technologies.