N101-070 TITLE: Energy Storage For Facilities Renewable Energy

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Energy Savings Performance Certification Program ACAT IV

OBJECTIVE: Develop a cost effective energy storage system to integrate with renewable energy systems to provide energy when renewable resource is not available and also to allow greater than 25% renewable energy to provide power to the grid. Energy storage must also improve on current recharge rates. Energy storage system must be capable of maintaining rated power for 24 hours with energy densities of no less than 150Wh/Liter.

DESCRIPTION: In order for renewable energy to be used widely in the Navy as-well-as the rest of the U.S. energy storage must be a part of the system to 1. provide energy when the renewable resource is not available, i.e., the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing and 2. to eliminate the inherent instability of renewable power due to constantly changing power levels from the sun and wind. Currently existing energy storage devices are too large, too expensive and require too long to recharge to be viable and cost effective.

The Navy has evaluated many technologies which may be suitable as part of an energy storage solution. The forms currently of particular interest are: electro-chemical (e.g., fuel cells and batteries), electro-static (e.g., capacitors and super capacitors), thermal (e.g., thermal piles), and kinetic (e.g., flywheels). However, today�s energy storage devices do not yet have the energy density, operational flexibility or shelf life necessary for renewable energy application. As a result, the Navy is not able to capitalize on the latest energy efficiency technologies which require the ability to seamlessly provide uninterrupted power at all times. The development of a renewable energy energy storage system would be a significant enabler the wide spread use of renewable energy throughout the Navy.

This topic seeks innovative approaches to the development of an advanced energy storage system. Proposed energy storage system concepts should meet the following thresholds:

- Energy Storage 150Wh/Liter.
- Power Density 2000W/Liter.
- 6000 full discharge /charge cycles while maintaining 80% of initial performance.
- 5 year shelf life, capable of sustained storage.
- Operation at temperatures as high as 150F.
- Maintain rated power for 24 hours.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of developing an energy storage system capable of being incorporated into a renewable energy system that meets the above thresholds. Evaluate attributes of the system, including energy density, power density, size, transient dynamics, shelf life, and anticipated maintenance requirements, using detailed models or small subscale components. Provide a Phase II development approach and schedule that contains discrete milestones for product development.

PHASE II: Finalize the design concept from Phase I and fabricate a diagnostic test bed prototype for a 500kW-level demonstrator. Validate prototype capabilities using laboratory testing and provide results. Demonstrate proposed installation, maintenance, repair, and regeneration methodologies. Develop a cost/benefit analysis and perform testing and validation.

PHASE III: Manufacture and market commercial energy storage device developed in Phase II. Develop the commercial potential of the technology for making it available as a candidate for inclusion in the Navy's Energy Savings Performance Certification (ESPC) Program.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Improved energy storage device will be marketed commercially to increase energy supplied to the grid by renewable energy.

REFERENCES:
1. Sandia National Laboratories ESS Publications: http://www.sandia.gov/ess/Publications/pubslist.doc

2. Bottling Electricity: Storage as a Strategic Tool for Managing Variability and Capacity Concerns in the Modern Grid: http://www.sandia.gov/ess/About/docs/BottlingElectricity.pdf

3. Study Plan for Critical Renewable Energy Storage Technology (CREST): http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/crest_study_requirements.pdf

4. An Assessment of Battery and Hydrogen Energy Storage Systems Integrated with Wind Energy Resources in California"; http://www.energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-500-2005-136/CEC-500-2005-136

KEYWORDS: Renewable energy; Energy storage; Photovoltaic; Wind energy

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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