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Review and Techno-Economic Analysis of Emerging Thermo-Mechanical Energy Storage Technologies

Author

Listed:
  • Khem Raj Gautam

    (Vestas aircoil A/S, Smed Hansens Vej 13, 6940 Lem, Denmark
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Gorm Brunn Andresen

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
    These authors contributed equally to this work.
    Also associated with iCLIMATE Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.)

  • Marta Victoria

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
    These authors contributed equally to this work.
    Also associated with iCLIMATE Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.)

Abstract

Thermo-mechanical energy storage can be a cost-effective solution to provide flexibility and balance highly renewable energy systems. Here, we present a concise review of emerging thermo-mechanical energy storage solutions focusing on their commercial development. Under a unified framework, we review technologies that have proven to work conceptually through project demonstration at a scale above 1 MW by describing the current state of commercial development, quantifying techno-economic parameters, outlining the challenges, and assessing each technology’s potential for commercial viability. The levelized cost of storage for thermo-mechanical energy storage at storage duration between 8 h and 1 week is cheaper than that of lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen storage; however, energy storage for such duration does not pay for itself at the current renewable penetration levels. For medium-term energy storage to be viable, at the realistic storage cost of 15 USD/kWh to 40 USD/kWh, the investment cost for power components should decrease to one-fifth of the current costs. Thermo-mechanical energy storage can be economically viable at the current investment costs in off-grid systems only when the marginal cost of alternative fuel exceeds 100 USD/MWh. We identified the cost ratio (charge power cost/discharge power cost) and the discharge efficiency as the critical technology-related performance parameters. Other external factors such as wind and solar fractions, demand, interconnections, sector coupling, and market structure play an important role in determining the economic feasibility of thermo-mechanical energy storage.

Suggested Citation

  • Khem Raj Gautam & Gorm Brunn Andresen & Marta Victoria, 2022. "Review and Techno-Economic Analysis of Emerging Thermo-Mechanical Energy Storage Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-28, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:17:p:6328-:d:902120
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Weitemeyer, Stefan & Kleinhans, David & Vogt, Thomas & Agert, Carsten, 2015. "Integration of Renewable Energy Sources in future power systems: The role of storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 14-20.
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    Cited by:

    1. Farah, Sleiman & Andresen, Gorm Bruun, 2024. "Investment-based optimisation of energy storage design parameters in a grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 355(C).
    2. Emanuele Nadalon & Ronelly De Souza & Melchiorre Casisi & Mauro Reini, 2023. "Part-Load Energy Performance Assessment of a Pumped Thermal Energy Storage System for an Energy Community," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-30, July.
    3. Li Sun & Jierong Liang & Tingting Zhu, 2023. "A Numerical Study of Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium in Binary Refrigerant Mixtures Based on 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoroprop-1-ene," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-22, October.

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