Special Issue "Energy Storage Technologies in Future Energy Systems"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Morteza Nazari-Heris
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, ‎State College, PA 16802, USA
Interests: demand-side management; energy management; renewable energy; heuristic optimization methods; zero energy buildings
Prof. Dr. Gevork B. Gharehpetian
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Electrical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran 15914, Iran
Interests: smart grid; DGs; monitoring of power transformers; FACTS devices; HVDC systems; power electronic converters; power system transients
Prof. Dr. Behnam Mohammadi-Ivatloo
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dr. Somayeh Asadi
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA
Interests: hydropower; sustainable energy; building energy performance; critical infrastructures; transactive energy; food–water–energy nexus; smart grids
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Concerning the significant rate of energy demand and investment limitations of expansion of the energy systems, such systems are encountering basic issues. On the other hand, the high penetration of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, and the uncertainty associated with the power output of such plants have resulted in technical and operational challenges for electrical energy systems. Energy storage technologies as promising solutions to these problems are defined as practical and effective approaches for stabilizing the power supply to overcome such challenges and minimize energy peak demands. Energy storage systems take advantage of restraining power fluctuations according to the stochastic and intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. In addition, energy storage technologies are effective in reducing system imbalances, load shifting and reserves, and decreasing operation costs of the system. Accordingly, energy storage technology has been introduced as a practical solution for attaining power system stability by the US Department of Energy (DOE), which has been planned to be developed through energy storage system programs (DOE OE/ESSP).

This research topic concentrates on the application of energy storage technologies in future smart grids, including, but not limited to, optimal allocation of energy storage systems in smart grids, optimal energy storage management and control in smart grids, different bidding strategies of storage systems, reliability and uncertainty analysis of energy storage system, thermal management of energy storage, multi-energy storage systems in smart grids, and the application of different types of energy storage facilities including batteries, heat buffer tank, fuel cells, compressed air energy storage system, and electric vehicles as means of energy storage in smart grids.

Dr. Morteza Nazari-Heris
Prof. Dr. Gevork B. Gharehpetian
Prof. Behnam Mohammadi-Ivatloo
Dr. Somayeh Asadi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Smart grid
  • Energy storage
  • Renewable energy sources
  • Energy networks

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Article
Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Stationary Battery Installations in Two Renewable Energy Projects
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6330; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116330 - 03 Jun 2021
Viewed by 742
Abstract
The goal to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is spurring interest in renewable energy systems from time-varying sources (e.g., photovoltaics, wind) and these can require batteries to help load balancing. However, the batteries themselves add additional GHG emissions to the electricity system in [...] Read more.
The goal to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is spurring interest in renewable energy systems from time-varying sources (e.g., photovoltaics, wind) and these can require batteries to help load balancing. However, the batteries themselves add additional GHG emissions to the electricity system in all its life cycle phases. This article begins by investigating the GHG emissions for the manufacturing of two stationary lithium-ion batteries, comparing production in Europe, US and China. Next, we analyze how the installation and operation of these batteries change the GHG emissions of the electricity supply in two pilot sites. Life cycle assessment is used for GHG emissions calculation. The regional comparison on GHG emissions of battery manufacturing shows that primary aluminum, cathode paste and battery cell production are the principal components of the GHG emissions of battery manufacturing. Regional variations are linked mainly to high grid electricity demand and regional changes in the electricity mixes, resulting in base values of 77 kg CO2-eq/kWh to 153 kg CO2-eq/kWh battery capacity. The assessment of two pilot sites shows that the implementation of batteries can lead to GHG emission savings of up to 77%, if their operation enables an increase in renewable energy sources in the electricity system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage Technologies in Future Energy Systems)
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Article
Optimal Operation of Integrated Electrical and Natural Gas Networks with a Focus on Distributed Energy Hub Systems
Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8320; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208320 - 09 Oct 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 748
Abstract
Coordinated multi-carrier energy systems with natural gas and electricity energies provide specific opportunities to improve energy efficiency and flexibility of the energy supply. The interdependency of electricity and natural gas networks faces multiple challenges from power and gas flow in corresponding feeders and [...] Read more.
Coordinated multi-carrier energy systems with natural gas and electricity energies provide specific opportunities to improve energy efficiency and flexibility of the energy supply. The interdependency of electricity and natural gas networks faces multiple challenges from power and gas flow in corresponding feeders and pipes and connection points between two infrastructures’ points of view. However, the energy hub concepts as the fundamental concept of multi-carrier energy systems with multiple conversion, storage, and generation facilities can be considered as a connection point between electricity and gas grids. Hence, this paper proposes an optimal operation of coordinated gas and electricity distribution networks by considering interconnected energy hubs. The proposed energy hub is equipped with combined heat and power units, a boiler, battery energy storage, a heat pump, and a gas-fired unit to meet the heating and electrical load demands. The proposed model is formulated as a two-stage scenario-based stochastic model aiming to minimize total operational cost considering wind energy, electrical load, and real-time power price uncertainties. The proposed integrated energy system can participate in real-time and day-ahead power markets, as well as the gas market, to purchase its required energy. The AC-power flow and Weymouth equation are extended to describe power and gas flow in feeders and gas pipelines, respectively. Therefore, a realistic model for the integrated electricity and gas grids considering coupling constraints is satisfied. The proposed model is tested on the integrated energy system and consists of a 33-bus electrical network and a 6-node gas grid with multiple interconnected energy hubs, where the numerical results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage Technologies in Future Energy Systems)
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Article
Scheduling of Air Conditioning and Thermal Energy Storage Systems Considering Demand Response Programs
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7311; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187311 - 07 Sep 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 562
Abstract
The high penetration rate of renewable energy sources (RESs) in smart energy systems has both threat and opportunity consequences. On the positive side, it is inevitable that RESs are beneficial with respect to conventional energy resources from the environmental aspects. On the negative [...] Read more.
The high penetration rate of renewable energy sources (RESs) in smart energy systems has both threat and opportunity consequences. On the positive side, it is inevitable that RESs are beneficial with respect to conventional energy resources from the environmental aspects. On the negative side, the RESs are a great source of uncertainty, which will make challenges for the system operators to cope with. To tackle the issues of the negative side, there are several methods to deal with intermittent RESs, such as electrical and thermal energy storage systems (TESSs). In fact, pairing RESs to electrical energy storage systems (ESSs) has favorable economic opportunities for the facility owners and power grid operators (PGO), simultaneously. Moreover, the application of demand-side management approaches, such as demand response programs (DRPs) on flexible loads, specifically thermal loads, is an effective solution through the system operation. To this end, in this work, an air conditioning system (A/C system) with a TESS has been studied as a way of volatility compensation of the wind farm forecast-errors (WFFEs). Additionally, the WFFEs are investigated from multiple visions to assist the dispatch of the storage facilities. The operation design is presented for the A/C systems in both day-ahead and real-time operations based on the specifications of WFFEs. Analyzing the output results, the main aims of the work, in terms of applying DRPs and make-up of WFFEs to the scheduling of A/C system and TESS, will be evaluated. The dispatched cooling and base loads show the superiority of the proposed method, which has a smoother curve compared to the original curve. Further, the WFFEs application has proved and demonstrated a way better function than the other uncertainty management techniques by committing and compensating the forecast errors of cooling loads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage Technologies in Future Energy Systems)
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Article
Optimal Operation of Multi-Carrier Energy Networks Considering Uncertain Parameters and Thermal Energy Storage
Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 5158; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12125158 - 24 Jun 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 741
Abstract
The coordination of energy carriers in energy systems has significant benefits in enhancing the flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability characteristics of energy networks. These benefits are of great importance for multi-carrier energy networks due to the complexity of obtaining optimal dispatch, considering the non-convex [...] Read more.
The coordination of energy carriers in energy systems has significant benefits in enhancing the flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability characteristics of energy networks. These benefits are of great importance for multi-carrier energy networks due to the complexity of obtaining optimal dispatch, considering the non-convex nature of their energy conversion. The current study proposes a robust operation model for the coordination of multi-carrier systems, including electricity, gas, heat, and water carriers concerning thermal energy storage technology. Thermal energy storage is for storing extra heat generated by combined heat and power (CHP) plants and boilers in time intervals with low heat demand on the system and discharging it when required. Energy network operators should have the capability to manage uncertain energy loads to study the impact of load variation on the decision-making process in network operation. Accordingly, this study employs an information gap decision theory (IGDT) method to model the uncertainty of the power demand in optimal system operation. By applying the IGDT approach, the operator of the energy system can use the appropriate methodology to obtain a robust optimal operation. Such a modeling approach helps the operator to make suitable decisions about probable variations in power load. The introduced model is applied in a test system for evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the introduced scheme. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage Technologies in Future Energy Systems)
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Article
An Integrated Planning Framework for Sustainable Water and Energy Supply
Sustainability 2020, 12(10), 4295; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104295 - 24 May 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2535
Abstract
This study aims to reveal the economic, technical, and environmental impacts of different system configurations (centralized or decentralized, components, and technologies) on transition plans to achieve a higher share of renewable energy and desalination supplies for regions facing water scarcity. The main contribution [...] Read more.
This study aims to reveal the economic, technical, and environmental impacts of different system configurations (centralized or decentralized, components, and technologies) on transition plans to achieve a higher share of renewable energy and desalination supplies for regions facing water scarcity. The main contribution of this research is the comparative evaluation of on-grid decentralized or distributed renewable-powered desalination systems for sustainable water and energy supply planning. Applying a novel nexus approach, an interactive multi-period planning model is developed to highlight synergies and to identify conflicts of planning both energy and water sectors at the same time as endogenous subsystems of one overall system. For studying these synergies in this study, the pace of technology deployment and the path of decline in overall costs are assumed to be a function of experience and knowledge as two-factor learning curves. Using data from 81 projects, the levelized cost and capacity factor of utility-scale photovoltaic and wind supplies in the Middle East were calculated. The results indicate that a scenario with a decentralized water sector and renewable-powered multiple-effect distillation technology has the best overall performance among the proposed scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage Technologies in Future Energy Systems)
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