A major, historic drawback to the use and cost-effectiveness of alternative energy systems has been that they are too variable, if the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine, a completely different energy system has to be available to pick up the slack. This lack of dependability is both costly and inefficient.
However, in an analysis recently published in "The Electricity Journal", scientists say that much of this problem could be addressed with enhanced energy storage technology, or by developing "hybrid" systems in which, on a broader geographic scale, one form of renewable energy is ramping up even while the other is declining.
"Wind energy is already pretty cost-competitive and solar energy is quickly getting there," said Anna Kelly, a graduate student in the School of Public Policy at Oregon State University, and an energy policy analyst. "The key to greater use of these and other technologies is to match them in smart-grid, connected systems.
"This is already being done successfully in a number of countries and the approach could be expanded."
For example, in some regions, the wind often blows more strongly at night, Kelly said, and solar technology can only produce energy during the day. By making more sophisticated use of that basic concept in a connected grid, and pairing it with more advanced forms of energy storage, the door could be opened for a much wider use of renewable energy systems, scientists say.
"This is more than just an idea, it's a working reality in energy facilities around the world, in places like Spain, Morocco and China, as well as the U.S.," Kelly said. "Geothermal is being paired with solar; wind and solar with lithium-ion batteries; and wind and biodiesel with batteries. By helping to address the price issue, renewable energy is being produced in hybrid systems by real, private companies that are making real money."
Advanced energy storage could be another huge key to making renewable energy more functional, and one example has just been produced by efficient wind farms in Wyoming; transmitted to Utah where it's being stored via compressed air in certain rock formations; and ultimately used to help power Los Angeles.
This 8 billion system could be an indicator of things to come, since compressed air can rapidly respond to energy needs and be readily scaled up to be cost-competitive at a significant commercial level.
"There are still a number of obstacles to overcome," said Joshua Merritt, a co-author on the report and also a graduate student in mechanical engineering and public policy at OSU. "Our transmission grids need major improvements so we can more easily produce energy and then send it to where it's needed. There are some regulatory hurdles to overcome. And the public has to more readily accept energy systems like wind, wave or solar in practice, not just in theory."
Still a reality is the "not in my backyard" mindset to renewable energy systems, the researchers said, and there are still some environmental concerns about virtually any form of energy, whether it's the worry that birds will be killed by wind turbine rotors, fish losses in hydroelectric dams or chemical contaminants from the use of solar energy.
The researchers said that there would be more options in the near future. Advanced battery storage technologies are becoming more feasible. Wave and tidal energy may prove to be real contributors, and some of those forces are more predictable and stable by definition.
Also, the addition of small, modular nuclear reactors, which can be built at lower costs and produce no greenhouse gas emissions, could play a significant role in helping to balance energy outflows from renewable sources.
The report concluded by stating, the long term goal is to identify technologies that can work in a hybrid system that offers consistency, dependability and doesn't rely on fossil fuels.
With careful matching of systems, improved transmission abilities and some new technological advances, that goal may be closer than realized.
"With development, the cost of these hybrid systems will decrease and become increasingly competitive, hopefully playing a larger role in power generation in the future," the researchers wrote in their conclusion.
AT UPS BATTERY CENTER, OUR GOAL ISN'T TO ONLY SELL BATTERIES, WE WANT TO INFORM AND TEACH YOU ABOUT THE AMAZING WORLD OF BATTERIES, ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR MORE INTERESTING, HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE ARTICLES ABOUT BATTERIES AND ELECTRICITY.
Related Articles:
Cooking up Energy Down on the Farm
What do Energy Storage Devices and Computer Screens have in Common
Analysis States, Americans are Using More Energy
Micro-Grid - Your Own Energy "Island"
0 comments:
Post a Comment