Renewable Storage Solutions for a Growing Market

The growing importance of environmental considerations within the global energy industry is propelling a shift in energy-source focus. Both national governments, through commitments like the Paris Agreement, and energy companies’ goals of net neutrality, have set in motion a change that is moving markets away from fossil fuel-based centralized generation toward renewable energy systems (RES) including wind and photovoltaic. However, the nature of renewable energy sources means that energy is not always reliably produced nor always available as and when it is needed. This fluctuation can create instability in the energy grid. An assured method for storing renewable energy until it is needed is required.

Storage systems from MAN Energy Solutions can solve many of the problems renewable energy sources present. The storage systems are designed specifically to store renewably-produced surplus energy, to make it available when needed and reduce problems associated with energy fluctuation. The stored energy can also be used directly in the form of heat and cold, or as fuel for transportation. Energy storage not only ensures a sustainable, reliable, and economic power supply, but also integrates energy-consuming sectors with power producers. System operators, utilities, and IPPs as well as industrial and commercial customers can see significant increase in the cost-effectiveness, security, flexibility and sustainability of their energy supply.

One of MAN Energy Solutions’ key skills is the integration storage of solutions into various energy systems. This delivers a complete solution from a single source, including project development, project implementation, operations and maintenance.

Battery Energy Storage System

MAN Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) improves the reliability, availability and efficiency of a grid’s power supply. The system is ideal for applications that have fast response times and high-power demands over a short or medium duration, such as peak shaving, frequency control and load balancing.

Electro-thermal Energy Storage

MAN Electro-thermal Energy Storage (ETES) is based on converting electrical energy into thermal energy by storing it in the form of hot water and ice. The thermal energy can be either converted back into electrical power, used for process cooling, or district heating purposes. These are only two of the myriad applications the ETES allows. The ETES, a three-way multifunctional system, is scalable and can be used regardless of site. Efficient and reliable, it has a very low environmental impact.

Liquid Air Energy Storage/Compressed Air Energy Storage

Off-peak or excess electrical energy is used to compress air via a MAN Energy Solutions compressor. The compressed air is then cooled down to be liquefied in safe and secure insulated tanks. When power is required, liquid air is drawn from the tank, put under pressure by a cryogenic pump, evaporated and heated. This produces a high-pressure gas, which is then passed through a MAN air expander to drive an electricity generator.

Molten Salt Energy Storage

Renewable energy is used to generate heat, which is stored in molten salt and later used to produce steam for power generation when needed. The MAN Molten Salt Energy Storage solution (MOSAS) achieves an excellent efficiency due to the high operating temperature and heat transfer properties of the molten salt.

Power-to-X

Renewable energy is used to run an electrolysis plant that breaks water down into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is placed into a methanation reactor with carbon dioxide, resulting in synthetic methane – also known as synthetic natural gas (SNG) or e-gas. The SNG can be stored and then be used directly as fuel for cars, trucks and public transport or later reconverted into electricity. Hydrogen can also be converted into methanol. Instead of producing gas or liquids, the hydrogen can be combined with carbon dioxide, nitrogen or other compounds to make chemicals such as ammonia, ethylene or propylene.