3 ms·

You could even go so far as to have a bank of batteries, be paid to take in power, then earn money selling it back to the grid later when prices are positive.

by NamTaf 9y ago

LeifCarrotson 9y ago
You'd probably need more batteries than would be economically feasible in that precise setup. But a similar scheme is used with electric water pumps and hydroelectric turbines. It's called pumped hydro: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumped-storage_hydroelectricity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumped-storage_hydroelectricit...
- maxerickson 9y ago
  Grid batteries are starting to come online. A somewhat special case is Fairbanks (which is isolated, so the economics kick in earlier): http://www.windpowerengineering.com/design/electrical/battery-stores-40-mw-for-ankorage-emergencies/ http://www.windpowerengineering.com/design/electrical/batter... A much larger installation is planned in China (different tech too): http://www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge/DesignerEdgeArticles/ArticleID/12312/Massive-800-MegaWatt-hour-Battery-to-Be-Deployed-in-China.aspx http://www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge/DesignerEdgeArticles... There are also some megawatt-hour scale lithium-ion experiments at substations.
  - jonatron 9y ago
    There is a trial in the UK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-30488657/leighton-buzzard-electricity-facility-tests-largest-battery http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-30488657/leighton-buzz...
  - 205guy 9y ago
    There is also a Tesla/SolarCity solar+battery plant in Hawaii that opened earlier this year and is currently operational. It is 13 GWh and 52 GW, thus it provides 13 GW of stored solar energy for 4 hours after the sun goes away. http://thegardenisland.com/business/energy/kiuc-opens-new-megawatt-hour-solar-farm/article_29e735ee-6cbc-5f64-b8d0-d34778144fb8.html?mode=jqm http://thegardenisland.com/business/energy/kiuc-opens-new-me...
    - maxerickson 9y ago
      * Megawatts But a good example that grid batteries are starting to make sense for power companies.
emmelaich 9y ago
There are many ways to store energy. Molten salt has been used in Spain and Arizon USA, but not at huge scale. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_energy_storage#Molten_salt_technology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_energy_storage#Molten_...

You could even go so far as to have a bank of batteries, be paid to take in power, then earn money selling it back to the grid later when prices are positive.

by NamTaf 9y ago

You could even go so far as to have a bank of batteries, be paid to take in power, then earn money selling it back to the grid later when prices are positive.

LeifCarrotson 9y ago

You'd probably need more batteries than would be economically feasible in that precise setup. But a similar scheme is used with electric water pumps and hydroelectric turbines. It's called pumped hydro: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumped-storage_hydroelectricity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumped-storage_hydroelectricit...

maxerickson 9y ago
Grid batteries are starting to come online. A somewhat special case is Fairbanks (which is isolated, so the economics kick in earlier): http://www.windpowerengineering.com/design/electrical/battery-stores-40-mw-for-ankorage-emergencies/ http://www.windpowerengineering.com/design/electrical/batter... A much larger installation is planned in China (different tech too): http://www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge/DesignerEdgeArticles/ArticleID/12312/Massive-800-MegaWatt-hour-Battery-to-Be-Deployed-in-China.aspx http://www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge/DesignerEdgeArticles... There are also some megawatt-hour scale lithium-ion experiments at substations.
- jonatron 9y ago
  There is a trial in the UK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-30488657/leighton-buzzard-electricity-facility-tests-largest-battery http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-30488657/leighton-buzz...
- 205guy 9y ago
  There is also a Tesla/SolarCity solar+battery plant in Hawaii that opened earlier this year and is currently operational. It is 13 GWh and 52 GW, thus it provides 13 GW of stored solar energy for 4 hours after the sun goes away. http://thegardenisland.com/business/energy/kiuc-opens-new-megawatt-hour-solar-farm/article_29e735ee-6cbc-5f64-b8d0-d34778144fb8.html?mode=jqm http://thegardenisland.com/business/energy/kiuc-opens-new-me...
  - maxerickson 9y ago
    * Megawatts But a good example that grid batteries are starting to make sense for power companies.

emmelaich 9y ago

There are many ways to store energy. Molten salt has been used in Spain and Arizon USA, but not at huge scale. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_energy_storage#Molten_salt_technology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_energy_storage#Molten_...