Energy Storage

This highly interdisciplinary group brings together scientists and engineers with key stakeholders and policy makers from academia, business, and government who are interested in understanding the broad range of scientific methods and disciplines that underlie key environmental challenges.

This year's focus will be on issues related to global warming with an emphasis on energy sources, energy storage, and carbon management. Grid energy storage is particularly important in matching supply and demand over a 24 hour period of time. A number of technologies are being investigated, such as flywheels or compressed air storage in underground caverns, but to date no widely available solution to the challenge of mass energy storage has been commercialized. Join this meeting to learn more!

Abstracts:

NYSERDA's Electric Energy Storage Program
Joseph H. Sayer, Senior Project Manager, Power Systems, NYSERDA

NYSERDA's electric energy storage program had its origin about seven years ago with the Alternative Fuels and Energy Storage Program, which included both electric and thermal storage technologies. In 2004 NYSERDA and the USDOE signed a Memorandum of Understanding to "encourage, support, facilitate planning, implementation, and information transfer of electric energy storage-related demonstration activities" in New York State. Since then, four major demonstration projects are underway with a fifth in contract negotiation. In addition, three feasibility/market analysis studies were completed to provide economic guidelines for energy storage technology applications. The basis for funding energy storage projects will be presented and a brief description of ongoing demonstration projects will be given.

Flywheel Based Grid Frequency Regulation
Matt Lazarewicz, Chief Technical Officer, Beacon Power

Grid frequency regulation function addresses the balance between a grid network load and power generated. The system operator generates a frequency regulation signal based on the difference between load and generated power to keep the system near nominal 60 Hz. Traditionally, frequency regulation is managed by varying the output of fossil fuel or hydro generators connected to the electric grid. As an economical alternative, fast response energy storage can be used to provide this service by recycling energy and absorbing it when it is in abundance, then discharging it when needed to preserve energy balance.

LIRR Flywheel Energy Storage System Demonstration Project
Edvina Uzunovic, New York Power Authority; Guy Sliker, New York Power Authority; Asha Handa, Long Island Rail Road

A New York Power Authority (NYPA) led team proposes to demonstrate a commercial-scale high-speed Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) performance and benefits located at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Deer Park station. The scope of the project is a turn key installation of a 2.5 MW FESS to provide traction power voltage support to mitigate voltage sag problems, and to reduce power peak demand charges.

The LIRR is in process of replacing the existing cars with the new technology trains that utilize an AC traction drive system with the regenerative braking. At this point, the LIRR does not plan to use the new train regenerative barking benefits due to mixed fleet and old and new train different power and signaling requirements. However, the new trains will require an increased peak demand following the completed implementation of the new AC drive trains, expected to happen in the next 5 year period.

Currently, the LIRR is assessing its current and future needs to upgrade its railroad system to meet ever increasing demand for commuter rail. The performed studies indicated that the increased traffic on the railroad presents two challenges for the traction power supply system:
•The system needs to be able to support increasing traffi