Can seasonal energy storage be economically viable?

To accommodate the use of this variable energy throughout the year the grid may benefit from economically viable seasonal energy storage to shift energy from one season to another. Storage of this nature is expected to have output durations from 500 to 1000 hours or more.

Can seasonal storage solve the problem of long periods without renewable generation?

Our research shows that seasonal storage provides a possible solution to address the problem of long periods without renewable generation, for example in the Northern European winter,” said Lucy Craig, Director of Technology and Innovation at DNV GL Energy.

Why is seasonal energy storage important?

These low-carbon energy sources also tend to abate during the fall and winter months. To accommodate the use of this variable energy throughout the year the grid may benefit from economically viable seasonal energy storage to shift energy from one season to another.

Is thermal energy storage economically viable?

The economic viability is assessed in terms of the levelized cost of heat (LCOH), storage volume cost, and storage capacity cost. The results show that the tank and pit thermal energy storage exhibits relatively balanced and better performances in both technical and economic characteristics.

Can seasonal energy storage decarbonize the energy system?

Here we outline the role and potential of seasonal energy storage to decarbonize the energy system. Energy storage is becoming an important element for integrating variable renewable energy towards a decarbonized energy system – traditionally including the electricity sector but also heat and transport through sector-coupling.

Is seasonal storage a viable balancing yearly cycles?

This is one of the key findings of DNV GL’s latest research paper ‘The promise of seasonal storage’, which explores the viability of balancing yearly cycles in electricity demand and renewable energy generation with long-term storage technology.