What are the performance characteristics of a storage system?

K. Webb ESE 471 9 Efficiency Another important performance characteristic is efficiency The percentage of energy put into storage that can later be extracted for use All storage systems suffer from losses Losses as energy flows into storage Losses as energy is extracted from storage K. Webb ESE 471 10 Round-Trip Efficiency

How much energy is lost when electricity reaches your outlet?

By the time electricity reaches your outlet, around two-thirds of the original energy has been lost in the process. This is true only for “thermal generation” of electricity, which includes coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. Renewables like wind, solar, and hydroelectricity don’t need to convert heat into motion, so they don’t lose energy.

Are energy losses necessary?

The Energy Information Administration euphemistically describes these energy losses as “a thermodynamically necessary feature” of thermal electricity generation. But as the world looks to re-shape the energy supply, major losses of energy are neither necessary nor a feature of modern electricity.

What are the merits of energy storage systems?

Two primary figures of merit for energy storage systems: Specific energy Specific power Often a tradeoff between the two Different storage technologies best suited to different applications depending on power/energy requirements Storage technologies can be compared graphically on a Ragone plot Specific energy vs. specific power

What type of energy is stored in different domains?

Energy stored in many different domains Input and output energy is electrical Three-phase AC power Conversion is required between the storage domain and the electrical domain Transformer Power conversion system (PCS) K. Webb ESE 471 27 System Configurations – Mechanical Mechanical storage Pumped hydro, flywheels, compressed air

How does distance affect energy loss?

The longer the distance traveled, the more the loss of electricity from transmission lines, and this energy loss is the same no matter what type of energy feeds into the grid. Only 28% of U.S. residents regularly hear about climate change in the media, but 77% want that news.