Beyond batteries and pumped hydro for large-scale energy storage

Panel discussion:

Beyond batteries and pumped hydro for large-scale energy storage

Large-scale electricity storage will play a vital role in future low-carbon energy systems that feature a high penetration of renewable energy technologies. Pumped-hydro energy storage (PHES) and large-scale batteries are the most discussed grid-scale options, at present. PHES is a proven, widely used, efficient and affordable large-scale technology, but has specific geographical requirements for installation and potential for significant environmental impact in its construction. Grid-scale batteries are highly efficient and have seen significant development recently, but are generally expensive, have relatively short lifetimes, and are not well-suited to longer-duration storage.

In this session, Professor Christos Markides will present an exploration of alternative technologies based on thermo-mechanical principles, which are proving increasingly attractive in view of recent cost reductions and performance improvements. Thermo-mechanical energy storage systems, which store electricity in the form of mechanical and/or thermal energy (heat or cold), can complement PHES and grid-scale batteries, potentially providing significant electricity storage capacities at a competitive cost.

Join us to hear about the latest developments within promising technologies such as compressed-air energy storage, pumped-thermal electricity storage and liquid-air energy storage, in discussion with our panel of expert guests.

Speakers:

• Professor Christos N. Markides is Professor of Clean Energy Technologies in the Department of Chemical Engineering of Imperial College London, where he heads the Clean Energy Processes (CEP) Laboratory, and leads the Energy Futures Lab Energy Infrastructure research theme. He is, amongst other, the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Applied Thermal Engineering, on the Editorial Board of the UK National Heat Transfer Committee and on the Scientific Board of the UK Energy Storage SUPERGEN Hub. He specializes in the application of fundamental principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transfer to innovative and high-performance energy components, devices, technologies and systems for energy (heat, power, cooling) recovery, utilisation, conversion and storage.

• Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA): Prior to joining the REA in 2013, Nina worked for 20 years for the RWE Group (and UK predecessors: National Power, Npower etc.) across fuel engineering and R&D, power station operations (where she was Npower’s first female power station manager) and trading. Her last RWE role was CTO, Essent (RWE’s Dutch business). She is aBoard member ofTransport for London (TfL), REAL (REA subsidiary), and more recently Royal BAM Group NV. She also advises Carbon Trust, National Grid ESO and Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) and others. She is a Fellow of the Energy Institute.

• Darren Jones, Technology Manager at Hitachi Energy: Darren Jones has been Technology Manager at Hitachi Energy, previously Hitachi ABB Power Grids and ABB, since September 2018. He is responsible for promoting Hitachi Energy’s technology portfolio into the UK electricity transmission and distribution utilities, understanding and influencing the future direction of UK electricity distribution network development and leading on collaborations with a broad range of academic and industry stakeholders in order to meet the net zero challenge for the UK.

• Stuart Nelmes, Engineering Director at Highview Power: Highview Power is a long-duration energy storage pioneer, specialising in cryogenic energy storage. Stuart Nelmes joined Highview in June 2011 as Engineering Team Leader and was initially responsible for the overall management of the pilot plant and engineering office at Slough. As Engineering Director, Stuart is now responsible for all the Company’s engineering and related development activity including the delivery of the Pilsworth commercial demonstration project (5MW/15MWh liquid air energy storageplant).

About Energy Futures Lab

Energy Futures Lab is one of seven Global Institutes at Imperial College London. The institute was established to address global energy challenges by identifying and leading new opportunities to serve industry, government and society at large through high quality research, evidence and advocacy for positive change. The institute aims to promote energy innovation and advance systemic solutions for a sustainable energy future by bringing together the science, engineering and policy expertise at Imperial and fostering collaboration with a wide variety of external partners.

About Energy Futures Lab

Energy Futures Lab is one of seven Global Institutes at Imperial College London. The institute was established to address global energy challenges by identifying and leading new opportunities to serve industry, government and society at large through high quality research, evidence and advocacy for positive change. The institute aims to promote energy innovation and advance systemic solutions for a sustainable energy future by bringing together the science, engineering and policy expertise at Imperial and fostering collaboration with a wide variety of external partners.