4 minute read time.
The hot topic of energy storage was the focus of a recent IET event hosted by the Power Systems and Equipment (PS&E) network.

 

The technical and professional network (TPN) organised an evening seminar with sector specialist Stewart Reid, who works as Future Networks Manager for Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) Power Distribution. An expert in this field, Stewart, an IET Fellow, leads the SSE team dedicated to developing the company’s networks and operations, as well as supporting a low carbon future.

 

Stewart’s talk covered the various options of energy storage, looking at what is and isn’t working. He discussed research past and present, the challenges faced and the possible solutions being developed and piloted right now.ed26bee6970387244fe17c5535c00382-huge-img-20140924-wa0006.jpg

 

Energy storage technologies and requirements

“Energy storage is not as narrow as you’d think: it’s not just about batteries. There’s a whole myriad of ways to store energy and we shouldn’t be constrained to one narrow batch of technologies. That was my first message,” Stewart says. 

 

Stewart also discussed the different requirements around energy storage, from short to long term. Different technologies allow you to store energy for varied amounts of time. He highlighted that in order to get the maximum out of the intermittent generation that comes with renewable energy sources, companies need a portfolio of all these technologies.

 

Stewart also looked at the “extreme” end of energy storage: energy vectors.

“Energy vectors are a long way from batteries,” he says. “You’re taking electrical energy and turning it into another form that can be stored, say hydrogen, for example. Instead of taking energy out and converting it back into electrical energy, you take it out of the electrical system and use it to do other useful functions like serve the transport sector or to augment gas supplies,” he explains.

 

Why such a hot topic?

Clearly a lot is taking place within this sector, and it’s easy to see why energy storage has become such a hot topic.

 

“There’s a lot of effort taking place around renewable energy, especially with the efforts to move away from fossil fuel power and with aging power plants closing. This topic contributes a solution to more sustainable power and advanced operation of the grid,” says PS&E TPN chair Femi Olushola.

 

“There’s a couple of reasons why energy storage has become a hot topic,” Stewart continues. “The technology is maturing rapidly and the existence of the electric vehicle sector is pushing things along. That’s one driver.

 

“Another driver is intermittency on the network. With renewables there’s a mismatch between power generation and demand. Energy storage is all about addressing that balance.

 

“Finally there are the networks. There’s a lot of pressure to squeeze more out of them. Storage has the potential to allow us to get more out of the networks and ultimately save customers money.”

 

1ee396850541f18a0d724a69d00106c9-huge-img-20140924-wa0003.jpgDiscussing energy storage

A Q&A session followed Stewart’s talk, which really highlighted the audience’s interest in this topic.

 

“There was a lot of discussion,” Femi says. “Young professionals were very interested in finding out about opportunities in the area. The audience was also intrigued with the different types of ways homes can capture solar power for personal heating and use; the funding, research and competition in this area. They were also very interested to hear more about the potential future of the grid,” he adds.

 

“In engineering terms this sector has gone from being considered relatively unexciting to attracting a lot more young, talented people. It’s turned around quite dramatically, Stewart continues. “Energy storage, control systems, cyber security – all these things that are now relevant to networks, that ten years ago weren’t.”

 

The evening was considered a great success, and Stewart stayed on to talk further with attendees interested to find out more. Discussions have also continued on post-event, with Stewart receiving follow up emails and calls on the topic.

 

The TPN has also continued discussions, and has plans to look at other hot power industry topics.

 

“Our next event will be looking at the synthetic inertia of wind farms, join and watch out for it on our webpage” Femi notes. “This promises to be very interesting!”



Stewart Reid's presentation slides are available to view online in the PS&E MyCommunity files area.

 

To join the discussion, or to find out more about the PS&E community, please visit the Power Systems and Equipment MyCommunity page.