The critical role of energy storage batteries in renewable energy systems
Energy storage batteries are an integral part of the new energy field, especially in renewable energy systems, energy storage batteries can utilize electricity to deliver clean energy from the power generation side to the user side. However, the development of energy storage batteries is still constrained by many factors. The role of energy storage batteries in renewable energy systems has become particularly critical under the influence of global climate change, the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, and many other aspects.
Research Background
The large-scale application of renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar) requires energy storage systems to provide a continuous and stable power supply. Energy storage batteries provide flexible and reliable power for renewable energy systems and are an indispensable component in the development of renewable energy. However, the development of energy storage batteries is constrained by their low energy density, low charge/discharge multiplier, high cost, and short cycle life. Therefore, energy storage batteries need to continuously improve their energy density and charging multiplier to meet grid demand and reduce costs. In addition, the large-scale utilization of renewable energy sources needs to consider the complementary roles of different types of energy storage batteries as well as the interactions of energy storage batteries in different electricity markets. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate the role of energy storage batteries in renewable energy systems and the interaction mechanisms between them and other power sources.
Current status of development
With the development of energy storage technology, energy storage batteries can be used in grid-side, user-side, and microgrid scenarios. Globally, the current application of energy storage batteries is mainly focused on four major fields: power, grid, communication and transportation. According to the Chinese Society of Automotive Engineering, China’s new energy vehicle sales in 2020 amounted to 3.2 million units, a year-on-year increase of 1.2 times, and cumulative sales amounted to 1.18 million units, a year-on-year increase of 1.2 times. Global new energy vehicle sales in 2025 are expected to reach 6 million. From the point of view of the current state of development, the development of energy storage batteries has great potential and will play an increasingly important role in the field of energy Internet in the future.
Demand analysis
In the renewable energy system, the demand for energy storage battery mainly depends on the following factors:
1. The level of renewable energy consumption, i.e., the proportion of renewable energy in primary energy consumption, is the main factor affecting the demand for energy storage batteries. For example, if the proportion of renewable energy is too high, then the demand for energy storage batteries will decrease;
2. the economics of energy storage batteries, i.e., the application cost of energy storage batteries on the generation side and the user side. On the generation side, energy storage batteries are mainly used for frequency and peak regulation; on the user side, energy storage batteries are mainly used for peak shaving and charging. If the cost is too high, it will reduce the user’s acceptance of energy storage batteries;
3. The volatility of renewable energy power. If renewable power has a large volatility, then it will affect the economy of energy storage batteries in the power generation side and user side applications.
Technical characteristics of energy storage batteries
Energy storage batteries have the advantages of high power density, long cycle life and low cost, so they have received widespread attention.
Future Trends
With the development of renewable energy generation and energy storage battery technology, it will play an important role in the future. In the future, the demand for energy storage batteries for renewable energy systems will increase, of which lithium-ion batteries will be one of the most promising. Lithium-ion batteries can store large amounts of electrical energy, and they are also highly safe and environmentally friendly. However, because lithium-ion batteries are composed of high energy density materials, this also means that they can have some problems during storage. In addition, since lithium-ion batteries have a high price, this will also be one of the important factors limiting their development.