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Short-, Medium-, and Long-Duration Energy Storage in a 100% Renewable Electricity Grid: A UK Case Study

Author

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  • Bruno Cárdenas

    (Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Lawrie Swinfen-Styles

    (Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • James Rouse

    (Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Seamus D. Garvey

    (Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

Abstract

Energy storage will be required over a wide range of discharge durations in future zero-emission grids, from milliseconds to months. No single technology is well suited for the complete range. Using 9 years of UK data, this paper explores how to combine different energy storage technologies to minimize the total cost of electricity (TCoE) in a 100% renewable-based grid. Hydrogen, compressed air energy storage (CAES) and Li-ion batteries are considered short-, medium-, and long-duration energy stores, respectively. This paper analyzes different system configurations to find the one leading to the lowest overall cost. Results suggest that the UK will need a storage capacity of ~66.6 TWh to decarbonize its grid. This figure considers a mix of 85% wind + 15% solar-photovoltaics, and 15% over-generation. The optimum distribution of the storage capacity is: 55.3 TWh in hydrogen, 11.1 TWh in CAES and 168 GWh in Li-ion batteries. More than 60% of all energy emerging from storage comes from medium-duration stores. Based on current costs, the storage capacity required represents an investment of ~£172.6 billion, or approximately 8% of the country’s GDP. With this optimum system configuration, a TCoE of ~75.6 £/MWh is attained.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Cárdenas & Lawrie Swinfen-Styles & James Rouse & Seamus D. Garvey, 2021. "Short-, Medium-, and Long-Duration Energy Storage in a 100% Renewable Electricity Grid: A UK Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-28, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:24:p:8524-:d:704879
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steinmann, Wolf-Dieter, 2017. "Thermo-mechanical concepts for bulk energy storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 205-219.
    2. Sinsel, Simon R. & Riemke, Rhea L. & Hoffmann, Volker H., 2020. "Challenges and solution technologies for the integration of variable renewable energy sources—a review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 2271-2285.
    3. Barbour, Edward & Wilson, I.A. Grant & Radcliffe, Jonathan & Ding, Yulong & Li, Yongliang, 2016. "A review of pumped hydro energy storage development in significant international electricity markets," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 421-432.
    4. Lund, Peter D. & Lindgren, Juuso & Mikkola, Jani & Salpakari, Jyri, 2015. "Review of energy system flexibility measures to enable high levels of variable renewable electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 785-807.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cosgrove, Paul & Roulstone, Tony & Zachary, Stan, 2023. "Intermittency and periodicity in net-zero renewable energy systems with storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 299-307.
    2. Cárdenas, Bruno & Ibanez, Roderaid & Rouse, James & Swinfen-Styles, Lawrie & Garvey, Seamus, 2023. "The effect of a nuclear baseload in a zero-carbon electricity system: An analysis for the UK," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 256-272.
    3. Lawrie Swinfen-Styles & Seamus D. Garvey & Donald Giddings & Bruno Cárdenas & James P. Rouse, 2022. "Analysis of a Wind-Driven Air Compression System Utilising Underwater Compressed Air Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-28, March.

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