WP3 Energy Storage to Power
Led By: Prof Phil Bowen, Cardiff University
Overview
Energy storage is a major challenge in moving towards a low-carbon economy. Storage is an essential element of future energy systems to enable increased efficiency from renewable generation as well as improving security of supply mitigating renewable intermittency. In this WP, various forms of conversion from excess electrical power into chemical stored energy are considered. Risk and hazard analysis of alternative fuels is another important element of future energy systems and included within this work package. This WP has strong industrial support due to a genuine interest in the development of distributed energy storage products. During the transitional period to a low carbon economy, the use of the national gas grid or local gas storage is considered an attractive way of storing excess energy i.e. storing energy when there is excess renewable power available but not the demand.
The work package will develop understanding of optimizing the utilization of doped-ammonia in power-generators such as reciprocating engines and gas turbines. The aim is to build expertise and a consortium to leverage EU funding to develop a large-scale demonstrator with industrial partners (including Siemens). Further potential utilization of ammonia between industrial, transport and power generation applications will be explored with Welsh anchor companies TATA and Airbus. The research will involve measuring the combustion characteristics of these fuels (an area of science that is virtually unexplored) in order to formulate design criteria for the use of ammonia-based mixtures in future engine designs.
Preliminary studies de-risking the utilisation of hydrogen-enriched natural gas will be developed to provide input to guidance for acceptability limits for gas grid storage of hydrogen. Methods of quantifying explosion hazards from liquid and gaseous fuels will be developed and integrated within international standards.
The work package will:
Assess the potential of ammonia as a fuel for powergen and/or transport, optimising blends and mitigation of emissions.
Assess the impact of grid storage of hydrogen on power-generation.
Deliver improved risk and hazard methodologies for storage and utilization of fuels in powergen, industry and transport.
