ABSTRACT
Chapter 7 considers the technical aspects of electrical energy storage systems. Technologies for storage change electricity to another form of energy and then regenerate power. What types of energy storage work best for microgrids? Examples of mechanical storage systems include pumped hydro, flywheel, and compressed air storage technologies. Electrochemical systems often used for microgrids encompass lead-acid, lithium-ion, sodium-sulfur, vanadium-redox, and zinc-air batteries. Other types of energy storage include chemical storage, biological storage, and thermal energy storage. In particular, molten salt storage systems are found in solar thermal microgrid applications. All forms of electrical energy storage are limited by their capabilities, capacities, storage durations, and round-trip efficiencies. The technical and market barriers associated with distributed electrical storage are considered in this chapter along with ways for resolving these barriers. Storage systems can help microgrids become more responsive to utility demand programs and apply time-of-use rates to reduce electrical peak demand costs.
