NEWS
EnergyToday: A balancing act for renewables
ENERGY4POWERLIVE - the ‘cutting edge’ energy show
Energy storage will play a key role in increasing the use of variable energy sources. Nonetheless, storage is not the only balancing option and the overall design of power systems will incorporate a range of flexible generation, storage and grid-balancing options of different types and scales, reports Professor David Elliott, a key speaker at the RenewablesLive Conference element of ENERG4POWERLIVE 2016. Some renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are intermittent and so, it
is claimed, require energy storage systems acting as reservoirs to allow constant and on-demand delivery of power. Contrary to the case of fossil fuels, where the actual energy source can be stored prior to electricity generation, wind or solar radiation cannot be stored; what needs to be stored in the case of renewables is the generated electricity itself. Several types of storage system are already in wide use for conventionally
generated electricity and can also be used for balancing the variable output from renewable sources. For example, on the large utility-power scale, pumped hydro systems use surplus grid electricity to pump water uphill into a hydro reservoir, so that it can be run out later through the hydro turbines to generate power when needed. At the smaller scale, batteries store electricity more directly, and are suited to use, for example, for home power. There are also many other options at various scales. Generally, energy storage systems are pricey because they only deliver energy for
part of the time - so their capital cost per kWh output is high. They are thus economically viable only when there is no alternative energy source, for example, in the case of small portable batteries for torches or radios. For larger-scale energy supply, storage is usually only practical if the cost of the input energy is very low and/or the price that can be charged for the energy output is high. In the context of renewable sources, that would be the case when energy demand
is high and no other sources are available. In practice however, alternative sources — such as natural gas — are often available and low cost. Thus, we might conclude that storage of electricity from renewables cannot compete with cheap gas turbines, which already exist on the grid and which can be run to meet demand, when renewable inputs are low, using easily stored gas. Indeed, at present some argue that the flexible grid-balancing option offered by gas turbines is a better bet than storing electricity produced by wind or solar irradiation. Recent studies indicate that, in terms of both generation and grid balancing, there are benefits from having a mixed system with a range of types, locations and scales of technology: some renewable sources are less variable than others and there can be significant economies of scale for both generation and storage. Local projects, including domestic grid-linked PV with storage, can play an important
role, but in terms of reliable, cost-effective generation and grid balancing, inputs from remote large wind, wave and tidal projects will also be needed, backed up by large storage systems and other balancing measures, including smart grids and supergrids. Electricity storage, although important, will only be part of the overall balancing system. As IRENA puts it, “energy storage is only one of many options to increase system flexibility.”
Professor David Elliott
Expertise, Innovation and Experience - these are the key components of what is widely regarded as London’s leading annual Energy show. The brainchild of Global Media Publishing Ltd, this top-quality, and very highly popular London-based event covers every dimension of independent power in the 21st Century.
This means it not only provides up-to-
date information about the very latest technical developments in the power industry, it also gives companies a gateway to establishing a strong market presence within the industry. This event enables key companies to reach an expanding audience of energy The 2016 ENERGY4POWERLive show regularly attracts many delegates and
energy professionals through a wide variety of relevant speakers the latest and most advanced market developments. The ENERGY4POWERLive
show regularly attracts a number of key delegates and attendees from the UK, Europe and Worldwide (450+ attending in 2015) - and is known as the best platform to meet and network with senior executive and industry leaders. If you are a buyer, specifier or
user of products or services in the European power generation sector then the UK-based Energy4PowerLive 2016 show is the event for you.
Scottish CHP plant has been operating for almost a year now
It’s been almost a year since the UK’s largest biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant was officially opened in Scotland. Analysts expressed the hope it will slash Scottish greenhouse gas emissions by up to 250,000 tonnes a year. The Markinch Biomass CHP Plant in Glenrothes, Fife,
effectively replaced the coal and gas-fired CHP power station on the site of paper and board manufacturer Tullis Russell. The new unit provides enough electricity and steam to meet demand from Tullis Russel with excess power being exported to the grid. “RWE has taken biomass combined heat and power technology
in UK to the next level,” Paul Coffey, chief operating officer at RWE Innogy, commented. “The Markinch plant has bene providing Tullis Russell with a state-of-the art low carbon power source, and exporting enough energy into the local network to power around 45,000 homes. With a multi-million pound investment and over 2.6 million man hours spent constructing the plant we’re delighted has been fully operational since it opened and has surpassed efficiency targets for energy production and emissions.” The project had been supported by an £8.1m Regional Selective Assistance grant from the Scottish Government, while Forestry Commission Scotland also signed a long term contract for timber supply to the plant, providing 750,000 tonnes of timber over the next 10 years. The project currently plays a key role in helping the government deliver its target of meeting 11%of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020. “With the help of a Scottish Enterprise grant this plant has safeguarded 500 jobs in the local papermakers, Tullis Russell, which has been open over 200 years,” Coffey added.
AUTUMN 2016 UK POWER NEWS 3
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