Technology for storing electricity from renewable sources

Electricity storage is a fairly complex operation that is still the subject of several scientific studies. Due to the poor ways in which electricity is stored, its quantity is now decreasing. Today's storage means have their limits. As a result, innovations are essential to preserve electricity efficiently in the future.

The means of storage

Among the various means of storing electricity are hydraulic dams. These can be pumped or released as required. However, the use of hydraulic dams for electricity storage is limited if there are problems with energy storage. In single-family houses, an interesting solution is now offered to households: water heaters. These make it possible to keep the heat of the water heated at night for use during the day. In addition, there are batteries. These are high-performance batteries that can store electricity to power an electric vehicle, for example. These batteries are now available in different models on the market. Their launch represents a real industrial challenge.

Future prospects

Researchers are opening up new horizons to solve problems related to energy transport and storage technologies. The idea is to optimise the ways in which electricity is stored in order to minimise any loss. As a first step, the energy density of lithium batteries needs to be developed. To do this, the inventors plan to replace graphite electrodes with silicon electrodes with key. This guarantees a high autonomy and rapid recharging. Some researchers are turning to lithium batteries. However, as lithium is a rare and expensive metal, this option is a hindrance from an economic point of view.

Mechanical electricity storage technology

There are several ways to store energy from renewable sources, and the same is true for electricity. Mechanical storage refers mainly to pumping stations. These are gravitational storage technologies. They include water reservoirs as well as piping and pumping systems. These different elements allow the transfer of water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir during off-peak hours. During peak hours, the operating principle of the stations is similar to that of traditional hydroelectric power plants. Noting that there are two types of pumping, namely inflow pumping stations and pumped storage power transfer stations.
Thermal insulation and energy savings