How can we store more (green/clean) energy?
Types of energy storage
Chemistry of energy storage
Environmental impact
Efficiency and Performance
Integration with renewable energy
Cost and Economics
Public perception
Battery technologies
Pumped hydro storage
Compressed air energy storage
Thermal energy storage
Hydrogen storage
Lithium Ion Batteries: A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses the reversible intercalation of Li+ ions into electronically conducting solids to store energy.
Flow batteries: A flow battery is a type of electrochemical cell where chemical energy is provided by two chemical components dissolved in liquids.
Hydroelectric pumped storage facilities: is a configuration of two water reservoirs at different elevations that can generate power as water moves down from one to the other (discharge), passing through a turbine. The system also requires power as it pumps water back into the upper reservoir (recharge).
What are the potential sites for new pumped hydro projects in Australia? The Pumped Hydro Storage Map of Australia identifies more than 20 different projects. Only three of them are in operation (Tumut, Wivenhoe and Shoalhaven)
Compressed air energy storage: Compressed air technology pressurizes atmospheric air, converting it into stored potential energy. When electricity is needed, the compressed air is released to flow through an expander (turbine-generator) to produce energy.
Pro's and Con's: It has a high storage capacity, is a clean technology, and has a long life cycle. One of the main disadvantages of Compressed air energy storage is its low energy efficiency.
Thermal Energy storage: Is heating or cooling a medium (element) to use the energy when needed later. This could mean using a water tank for heat storage, where the water is heated at times when there is a lot of energy, and the energy is then stored in the water for use when energy is less available.
Concentrated Solar power: These systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight into a receiver. Electricity is generated when the concentrated light is converted to heat (solar thermal energy), which drives a heat engine connected to an electrical power generator
Hydrogen storage: Hydrogen energy storage is another form of chemical energy, in which a electrical power is converted into Hydrogen can be stored physically as either a gas or a liquid. Storage of hydrogen as a gas typically requires high-pressure tanks. Storage of hydrogen as a liquid requires cryogenic temperatures because the boiling point of hydrogen.
Electrochemical reactions
Reversable reactions
Hydrogen production
Water electrolysis process: In H2O at the Cathode (- charge), a reduction reaction takes place, with electrons from the cathode being given to hydrogen cations to form hydrogen gas. At the Anode (+ charge), an oxidation reaction occurs, generating oxygen gas and giving electrons to the anode to complete the circuit.
new processes for hydrogen production: Direct solar water splitting, or photolytic, processes use light energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. These processes offer long-term potential for sustainable hydrogen production with low environmental impact.
Hydrogen production: Hydrogen storage is can be reversed by using cooling or heating systems.
storing heat in reversable reactions: temperature change is reversible, but changes to other properties might be irreversible. Heating, in particular, often causes chemical changes in which atoms alter their bonding to form new substances.
what is a reversable reaction: A reversible reaction is a reaction in which the conversion of reactants to products and the conversion of products to reactants occur simultaneously.
Anode and cathode reactions in electrochemical reactions: An electrochemical cell (a voltaic or galvanic cell) has two electrodes, a cathode and an anode. The cathode is the positive electrode that acquires (gains) electrons from the external circuit, also known as reduction. The Anode is the negative electrode that releases (loses) electrons to the external circuit, also known as oxidization.
what is a electrolyte made of? The electrolyte of a battery consists of soluble salts, acids or other bases in liquid, gelled and dry formats.
its impact on battery performance: If exposed to extreme voltage and temperature, these electrolytes can react with the active electrode materials to release significant heat and gas.
Resource extraction
Carbon emissions
Land use
End- of-life disposal
Impact of mining for battery materials: Whether lithium extraction involves salt flat brines or ore pit mining, land needs to be cleared to make way for these operations. Vegetation and trees must be destroyed and soil and earth removed
What are some more sustainable sourcing methods for obtaining raw materials for batteries?
What are some eco-friendly materials for batteries: Scientists developed ionic liquids for eco-friendly electrolytes in batteries. Bio-based electrolytes are prepared from renewable materials, such as plant oils and sugars. These electrolytes are non-toxic and have a low environmental impact.
What contributes to carbon emissions for different storage technologies: Carbon emissions are influenced by a multitude of factors like materials used, Manufacturing processes, Transportation of materials, End-of-life disposal or recycling practices.
How can we make creating batteries more environmentally friendly and sustainable?
Sodium Ion Batteries: Sodium-ion batteries are similar to lithium-ion batteries in working principle but it replaces lithium with sodium as the intercalating ion. Sodium-ion batteries can be safer than lithium-ion batteries because sodium is more abundant and less prone to certain types of thermal runaway reactions.
What is the most environmentally friendly and sustainable type of battery?
how can we make Compressed Air Energy Storage more energy efficient?
Why does hydrogen energy have a bad name?
How is pumped hydro energy not suitable for everyone based on accessibility in location?
land requirements for energy storage facilities: Battery storage farms typically require relatively small land footprints, while larger battery farms may require cleared land for installation. However large energy storage facilities like Pumped hydro storage projects, require significant land areas, especially for the construction of upper and lower reservoirs.
Ecological considerations for siting energy storage projects: When deciding where to place an energy storage facility, we have to Identify suitable sites that have minimal ecological value, considering proximity to sensitive areas such as protected lands. It’s also important to implement measures to mitigate habitat disturbance, by incorporating green infrastructure, such as vegetative buffers and wildlife-friendly designs.
How is the government helping in miniating the environmental impact on land for energy storage facilities?
Recycling batteries: Spent batteries are collected from various places including households and industries, and then sorted based on their chemistry and size for appropriate recycling processes. Batteries are disassembled to separate components, then the recovered materials undergo processes like smelting to extract metals such as lithium. These purified metals and materials are used to manufacture new batteries.
Environmental risks of improper disposal: Improper disposal of batteries can lead to soil, water, and air pollution due to the release of toxic substances such as heavy metals. Leaching of pollutants into groundwater or surface water can contaminate ecosystems and pose risks to human health. Discarded batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, can pose fire hazards if not handled properly during disposal. Thermal runaway and combustion of batteries release hazardous fumes.
How can we make disposing of batteries easier for people?
What are the laws around disposal of batteries and energy storing components?
What is the government doing to help promote clean energy?
What are some public outreach campaigns for promoting clean energy storage in Australia?
Public perception is based on information, therefore we need to provide information on how energy storage contributes to grid stability, reduces energy costs, and supports clean energy goals.
What is the government doing to ease public concerns surrounding energy storage technologies?
Public concerns: There are many concerns surrounding energy storage technologies. Common concerns include, 1. Safety, like fire risk, chemical exposure, and electromagnetic fields. 2. Environmental, like resource depletion, pollution, land use, and habitat disruption. 3. Health and well-being, like noise pollution, and air pollution health implications. 4. Security and reliability, like grid stability and cybersecurity of smart grid technology. 5. Cost, like cost-effectiveness, affordability, and financial viability.
Battery cycle life
Energy conversion efficiency
factors affecting battery life span: The specific chemistry and materials used in a battery greatly influence its longevity. Extreme temperatures, either too high or too low, can accelerate degradation processes, leading to reduced cycle life. Charging or discharging a battery at high rates can generate heat and stress, accelerating degradation. Frequent deep cycling and rapid charging can lead to faster degradation. Exposure to humidity, vibration, mechanical stress, and contaminants can affect battery performance and lifespan.
How can we improve battery life span?
How can the design of a battery be altered to improve the life span?
Why is it so important to improve the longgevety of batteries?
What effects energy conversion efficiency in energy storage technologies?
How is energy lost in energy conversion?
How does energy storage help stabilize renewable energy sources?
What are the best ways to match energy storage cycles with renewable energy output?
How do grid-scale storage systems enhance grid stability with more renewables?
How does energy storage optimize excess renewable energy utilization?
What economic benefits drive the integration of storage with renewables?
What factors drive the cost of energy storage technologies?
What role do government incentives play in making energy storage economically viable?