Feasibility of a small scale electrical storage system : potential for technology learning

Intermittent renewables, e.g. windturbines and PVs, are in need of stand-by power and energy storage systems in order to provide reliable electricity to the grid. Energy storages could result in a more powerful penetration of renewables, hence phasing out fossil fuels earlier than expected. Also, the electrical grid in itself would become more reliable if utilizing electrical storage systems. Stand-by emergency generators in the grid could prevent brownouts and blackouts worth millions of NOK in both social and industrial benefits. Also, stand-alone energy storage systems could be utilized in remote off-grid areas, hence providing reliable power to, e.g. tele-com base stations, military- and refugee camps, or battery recharge stations for electrical cars. This thesis investigated the feasibility of a new electrical storage system related to mechanical systems, e.g. pumped hydro storage (PHS), compressed air (CAES) and flywheels (FES). The feasibility analysis indicated the system to be novel and that it could be utilized in all of the above-mentioned scenarios, e.g. intermittent renewables, grid reliability and as stand-by emergency generator. The analysis reviewed a case-scenario where the system was utilized in a household for storing surplus electricity from local renewable generation. The analysis indicated that storing electricity, subsequently to regenerate the electricity to the grid, was not profitable for households at the initial investment cost. However, technology learning indicated the case-scenario to have potential profitability in the future.M-FORN