Energy Storage Systems Transforming the Texas Distributed Energy Resources Grid

Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are playing a key role in transforming the #Texas Distributed Energy Resources (DER) grid. Texas has a large and growing renewable energy sector, with significant potential for #solarenergy and #windenergy. However, these energy sources can be intermittent and unpredictable, making it difficult to integrate them into the grid. To help solve this problem storing electricity at lower rates or renewable resources can be re-release back onto the grid to help balance demand.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, better known as #ERCOT manages the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers -- representing about 90 percent of the state’s electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 52,700+ miles of transmission lines and 1,030+ generation units, including Private Use Networks (PUN). It also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Texas Legislature. Its members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities, transmission and distribution providers and municipally owned electric utilities.

One of the key benefits of #EES is that it can help smooth out fluctuations in renewable energy generation. This helps to improve the reliability of the grid and reduce the need for fossil fuel-based power plants, which are typically used to provide backup generation when renewable energy is unavailable. There are several different types of EES, including chemical batteries, flywheels, compressed air, and pumped hydroelectric storage. Each type has its own unique set of benefits and limitations, and the best choice for a particular application will depend on factors such as cost, efficiency, and environmental impact.

Batteries have been used in the electric utility industry for decades. Large utility-scale battery applications, however, have been slow to develop, in part due to technological limitations and the costs of delivering utility-scale power to the grid. As those technologies have improved, #utilityscale #batteries have finally reached a point where they can successfully integrate into the ERCOT grid and provide various services in select applications to enhance the reliability of the grid.

Power and Utilities Industry Outlook according to Deloitte, especially in these 5 areas:

1. Sustainability: Utilities expected to further flesh out decarbonization plans

2. Resiliency: Unprecedented weather events driving new resiliency strategy

3. Digital Transformation: 5G and cloud could expedite the clean energy transition

4. Smart Grid Operations: Utilities increasingly turning to flexible load programs

5. Electrification: Building electrification is already impacting utility planning

These Energy Storage Systems (ESS) can be categorized into different categories based on inherent technologies.?

1. Mechanical Storage Systems - Relies on mechanical processes to store and release energy. Pumped-hydro storage represents over 94% of the world’s installed storage and 99% of actual energy stored according to the International #hydro Association.?

2. Electrochemical Storage Systems - Rely on chemical reactions, a process where transformed from electrical to chemical energy to reversible store and release electricity. Referred to as rechargeable batteries or Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Lithium-ion batteries are the most common and popular in both small- and large-scale storage applications. Although Lead-acid is still prevalent, they are losing market share fast to lithium-ion batteries due to their reliability, efficiency, and battery lifespan.

3. Chemical Storage Systems - Rely on externally fueled liquids or gaseous compounds that cause reactions to store and generate electricity. Such as hydrogen fuel cells that allow constant chemical reactions that create electricity and water.?

4. Electrical Storage Systems - Rely on storing electricity through electric fields by separating charges for magnetic fields to maintain electricity in a static form. Supercapacitors, ultracapacitors, and capacitors are examples of such systems.

5. Thermal Storage Systems - Store energy and generate electricity through heat. This heat can originate from various sources, such as solar, which can convert that generated heat into electricity.?

As energy storage systems become more widespread in Texas, they have the potential to play a significant role in transforming the DER grid and helping to increase the use of renewable energy. This can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the overall sustainability of the state's energy system. The following standards IEEE 1547 and 2030 Series Standards for DER will play a vital role in the Interconnection and Interoperability of the grid.

Christopher Sanderson is a Senior Member of IEEE (SMIEEE), Certified LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB), and Power & Distribution Subject Mater Expert who shared his experience with some of the world’s leading manufacturers. He can be contacted on?LinkedIn.??#battery #batteries #energystorage #batteryenergystorage