Short-, medium-, and long-duration energy storage in a 100% renewable electricity grid: A UK case study

Cárdenas, Bruno; Swinfen-Styles, Lawrie; Rouse, James; Garvey, Seamus D.

Abstract

Energy storage will be required over a wide range of discharge durations in future zero-emission grids, from milliseconds to months. No single technology is well suited for the complete range. Using 9 years of UK data, this paper explores how to combine different energy storage technologies to minimize the total cost of electricity (TCoE) in a 100% renewable-based grid. Hydrogen, compressed air energy storage (CAES) and Li-ion batteries are considered short-, medium-, and long-duration energy stores, respectively. This paper analyzes different system configurations to find the one leading to the lowest overall cost. Results suggest that the UK will need a storage capacity of ~66.6 TWh to decarbonize its grid. This figure considers a mix of 85% wind + 15% solar-photovoltaics, and 15% over-generation. The optimum distribution of the storage capacity is: 55.3 TWh in hydrogen, 11.1 TWh in CAES and 168 GWh in Li-ion batteries. More than 60% of all energy emerging from storage comes from medium-duration stores. Based on current costs, the storage capacity required represents an investment of ~£172.6 billion, or approximately 8% of the country’s GDP. With this optimum system configuration, a TCoE of ~75.6 £/MWh is attained.

Citation

Cárdenas, B., Swinfen-Styles, L., Rouse, J., & Garvey, S. D. (2021). Short-, medium-, and long-duration energy storage in a 100% renewable electricity grid: A UK case study. Energies, 14(24), Article 8524. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248524

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 13, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Dec 17, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 17, 2021
• Deposit Date: Apr 18, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 18, 2023
• Journal: Energies
• Electronic ISSN: 1996-1073
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 24
• Article Number: 8524
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248524
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/19759244
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/24/8524