Taube B., Leufkens P., Thompson C., McQuilling A.
Southern Research, US
Keywords: energy storage, standards development, system evaluation, test procedures
Energy storage systems (ESS) are beginning to be implemented in the Southeastern United States, and their applications and impact on the grid are not have not been characterized or understood in a systematic way. Southern Research, in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the U. S. Department of Energy (DoE), and the State of Alabama, and regional electric utilities, is working to understand both standards development as it relates to energy storage systems as well as to define best practices around energy storage system evaluation. ESS operation and performance depends strongly on the use cases for which they are employed. These use cases can be met by a range of technologies, power ratings and capacities. This necessitates a careful and informed understanding of use case applications in the context of established and developing codes and standards. In spite of the efforts of DoE, PNNL, NREL, IEC, IEEE, SNL, DNV GL and UL, the process of adopting appropriate standards for a given use case and technology remains a complex and frequently unsolved problem. This presentation will provide an overview of relevant energy storage standards and test protocols and how we plan to implement them at the Energy Storage Research Center at Southern Research in Birmingham, AL through the development of a comprehensive test plan with detailed procedures for system evaluation. By standardizing the approach for system evaluation, we hope to support the widespread adoption of energy storage technologies in the region and the rest of the United States. Additionally, this systematic approach to evaluation will enable us to mitigate risks associated with deployment, and we recognize that understanding risks associated with the development and installation of energy storage systems is critical to support the adoption of these technologies in the Southeast and throughout the country. Risks associated with the regulatory environment, technology, environmental impact, safety and economic valuation of energy storage systems have been identified. While some risks are unique to the Southeast, many of the risks are applicable across the US. It is critical to identify all potential risks associated with energy storage technology implementation, prioritize them in terms of likelihood and impact, and find ways to mitigate the potential for damage. This presentation will describe how the risk assessment is being used to shape the strategic testing framework for energy storage evaluation that is under development at Southern Research. Our goal is to support the implementation of energy storage in the Southeast to provide for the delivery of cleaner and more reliable power in the region.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Materials for Energy, Efficiency and Sustainability: TechConnect Briefs 2018
Published: May 13, 2018
Pages: 28 - 31
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Energy Storage
ISBN: 978-0-9975117-9-6