MASSTORAGE

Artículos científicos

• Iñigo Bonilla-Campos, Fco.Favier Sorbet, David Astrain, Radical change un teh Spainsh grid:renewable energy generation profile and electric energy excess, Sustainable Enrgy, Grids and Networks, 32 (2022) 10.1016/j.segan.2022.100941

Comunicaciones en congresos

• Ponencia en el XII National and III International Conference on Engineering Thermodynamics, en junio de 2022, con su correspondiente publicación, titulada: “Experimental Study of a Multistage Thermoelectric Heat Pump for Thermal Energy Storage”. https://academica-e.unavarra.es/xmlui/handle/2454/43791
• Jornada-Workshop sobre Almacenamiento energético en UPNA organizada por los miembros del proyecto:
  https://www.unavarra.es/sites/actualidad/contents/noticias/2022/11/07/la-jornada-tecnica-sobre-almacen.html.

The MASS-STORAGE project aligns three important research centres in Navarre on one extremely important (for industry and society) area of current and future research, which is massive energy storage that is necessary at a grid level to integrate renewable energies at a large scale in the coming years until 2050.

The proposed research centred on reversible systems for the electrical grid based on thermal storage systems. That kind of system is called Power-to-heat-to-Power. Different lines will be researched in combination with reversible thermal machines (heat pump/power cycle), and conventional power cycle thermal machines.

Systems for converting electrical energy into heat or thermal energy (power-to-heat), use both conventional systems with heating elements (Joule effect) and advanced solutions based on medium and high temperature heat pump concepts.

Furthermore, an optimisation of synergies between thermosolar plants (also called CSP – Concentrated Solar Power) and power-to-heat technologies will be pursued, such that they will be able to store excess energy from the grid thanks to the key characteristic of CSP plants that have an integrated thermal storage system.

CSP plants have a thermal type AEM system (given their size they are generally 50 MW electric or more, currently there are plants up to 250 MW electric), integrated into them, nevertheless, during certain times of the year part of the storage is not used. Using a heating system that uses excess electricity makes it possible to create a synergy to reduce both thermosolar production and energy storage costs.

The key parameter to analyse is the updated cost per kWh stored over the lifetime of the system (Levelized Cost of Storage – LCOS). Lastly, an analysis in terms of global efficiency, scalability, life cycle and costs will be done and the economic potential for each solution will be quantified. The results of those analyses will be compared with other energy storage systems, which may include reversible hydroelectric plants or electrochemical storage systems (batteries), or hydrogen technology, among others. Lastly, the most promising concept will be chosen and a detailed study will be done of a specific case.

The result will be a complete and viable proposal for a reversible AEM plant with costs that are competitive with a reversible hydroelectric plant, which will later be seen to be the best choice technologically, but which has geographical determining factors that limit its application. The most promising plant will be determined using documentary and detailed pre-engineering information so the construction of a validation/demonstration plant can be started.

Additionally, at a higher level of demonstration, the MASS-STORAGE project proposes to develop, build and test an innovative power-to-heat system that incorporates a thermoelectric heat pump system coupled with a heat accumulator with a specific advanced technology filler with a high heat capacity.

As the final result of the project, converting a combined cycle plant currently in operation in Navarre (one of three in the city of Castejón) to an energy storage facility as a future line for fossil fuel plants that, over time and with the growing use of renewable energies into the electrical mix, will be phased out due to low or non-existent profitability, has been proposed.