Flagship of the funding initiative
Batteries in the distribution grid
The projects range from batteries connected to photovoltaic systems in households to electricity storage facilities capable of storing megawatts of power which can be used by energy supply companies. Key research topics include electrical or electrochemical systems for storing electrical energy, such as batteries, redox flow or double-layer capacitors, and mechanical storage systems, such as compressed air storage, pumped storage power plants or flywheels. Other projects being funded include new storage concepts and research into connecting decentralized storage systems.
Battery system based on storage of electrolyte anions
Researchers at the MEET Battery Research Center of the University of Münster studied a new electrochemical energy storage system, on the so-called dual-ion battery technology. This system is primary supposed to store renewable energies intermediately in stationary systems and to stabilize the grid. ... more
MeMO - a novel high-temperature battery
Forschungszentrum Jülich is developing a novel kind ot high-temperature battery. In this Power-to-Storage / Storage-to-Power concept, surplus electrical energy is stored by reduction of a metal oxide and regained by oxidation of the metal. The stacks have been operated for more than 200 redox cycles successfully. ... more
Energy from tubes
In the joint tubulAir project, scientists are developing a new redox flow battery type for stationary applications. This is intended to be cheaper to produce while having a considerably greater output and energy density. The new system works with just one electrolyte solution in combination with compressed ambient air. Also new is the geometry of the cells, which are constructed as micro-tubes. ... more
Storing energy at sea
The project “StEnSEA” (Stored Energy in the Sea) is investigating the installation of large storage facilities on the sea floor, in combination with offshore wind farms. The physical principle is similar to that of conventional pumped storage power plants, but based not on two reservoirs, but a hollow sphere. The inflowing water drives a turbine to generate electricity. When there is a surplus of electricity in the grid, part or all of the water is pumped out of the sphere. The commercial target size per sphere is currently at about 20 MWh per storage unit. .
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Battery System for owners and the grid
In the project PV-host scientists want to improve decentralized storage battery technically and economically. To this end, they compare solar storage that are suitable for detached houses. They want to find out which operating strategy operates useful with a memory as possible network. The storage will not only meet their own needs of the household, but also reduce feed-in peak. This is to ensure that the network can accommodate a total of more electricity from solar installations. ... more
Network storage with hybrid photovoltaic system
Researchers develop new strategies for the operation of hybrid photovoltaic systems in residential buildings and small businesses. For this purpose, the scientists optimize the operation management by simulations and laboratory measurements in the project INE-VES. The optimized operations management will increase the benefit of the system for the power grid, as well as for the owner. ... more
New design reduces system costs
Flywheel energy storage systems can play an important role in stabilising the electricity grid. When required, they provide high outputs within milliseconds. The short-term electricity storage systems also act as active voltage filters for optimising the electricity quality. In the KoREV-SMS project, scientists are developing a flywheel energy storage system with an external rotor design. This results in a higher energy density with lower acquisition costs compared to conventional flywheel energy storage systems. .
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Faster power storage with high cycle rate
Energy storage flywheels as short-term intermediate storage for regenerative energy generation systems can help keep the power grid stable. With good efficiency, they absorb or emit high power levels – while at the same time having an extremely durable cycle. In the ENERSPHERE project, scientists are working on a flywheel rotor with a superconducting bearing. This makes it extremely intrinsically safe and robust. .
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New generation of lithium-ion batteries
A young research group investigated aqueous electrolytes based on lithium-ion batteries for intermediate storage of electrical energy. The young researchers are developing new coatings and electrolytes for the stabilization of the active components. ... more
Power Supply and Storage Demand in 2050
RESTORE 2050 was primarily concerned with the European power supply network of the future. Amongst other aspects, it was investigated the importance of the extension of the transmission network, storage and methods of load management for a reliable power supply based on weather dependent renewable energy sources. ... more
