Energy Storage Systems

Energy Storage Systems: Technologies to accelerate

Energy Storage Systems

Energy systems Technologies to accelerate decarbonization in Latin America and the Caribbean The Energy Storage Systems (SAE) are keys for the decarbonization,

as they are a very versatile tool to provide flexibility to the systems. A greater share of renewable energies also implies greater solar photovoltaic and wind generation. These variable technologies require greater flexibility in electrical systems to maintain a continuous balance between generation and demand. In this sense, SAE plays a very important role, thanks to the fact that they can act as a load or as a source of electricity in an alternate way, to compensate for variations in both generation and demand.

Accompanied by the International Agency for Energy, in a series of missions, the SAE converts into the mainstay of flexibility for electric systems, relying on the natural generation of carbon and gas, which is essential. , junto con la hydroelectricidad de gran escala. The SAEs are capable of proving multiple services to the electric systems, most of the arbitrage between menor and greater precision, as the primary regulation, security and frequency regulation, the regulation of tension.

Asymmetry can improve efficiency and cost inputs in the application of redesigns of transport and distribution of energy to reduce the demand for redesigns. The new global penetration of the SAE is meeting an unimaginable level. Our approach depends heavily on the part of regulators that their participation in mercados for proving these electric services reconciles its economic value and its remuneration.

Different technologies for storage systems

The innovation in the SAE has allowed the energy systems development of a variety of technologies and will continue to be a key element to gain market share. As for the technologies, there are several alternatives such as lithium-ion electrochemical batteries, which are of greater growth in their use. Its versatility, response times, and maturity of the technology make it the most attractive solution for the SAE. Its costs have dropped significantly in the last decade from US$1,000 in 2010 to US$137 in 2020, and it is expected to continue falling in the coming years.

Another technology for growth on flux batteries, electrochemical, such as redox vanadium batteries, offers advantages such as longer service life, greater ease of recycling its components, and better performance in terms of safety and temperature.

There are also mechanical SAEs, such as pumping hydroelectric power stations, which are technology with the greatest installed capacity in the world. Today it is estimated that they store around 9,000 GWh globally (IHA). This technology offers the advantage of being able to store energy for longer periods, something that limits lithium batteries with a duration of 4 or 6 hours.

For the first time, a passion for the invention of the hydraulic Prometheus system gave Fuerte, degraded with AIE. To achieve this, in 2050, a capacitor of 3.000-gigawatt electrolyzer will be required. Finally, there is also a system for mixing electrical and thermosystems, such as the centralized sound Solaris de

Fundas. We are finally at a standstill.

As part of the SAE component, there is a need for research and marketing, which will increase the cost of the best technology and services in the system.

Lower SAE penetration in the region, but it is possible to find projects in operation

Table 1 shows some emblematic projects of the region, including the pumping station of the Rio Grande in the Province of Córdoba, Argentina, with 750MW. This is the biggest SAE in the region, with 35 years of operation. The thermo-solar plant of Cerro Dominador is located in Chile, recently inaugurated with the capacity to store 110 MW in cast sales. And several projects with lithium batteries, which include innovative schemes such as the “virtual container” of the Alfalfa I plant in Chile and other projects that accompany renewable and non-renewable plants.

There are also initiatives to install SAE as part of the transmission and distribution systems.

Currently in Colombia, a bid is open to incorporate a battery SAE into the national transmission system to improve the quality of service in the north of the country. In Uruguay, the IDB, through the IDB Lab, is supporting the UTE electrical company for the installation of a pilot battery in distribution systems to improve the quality of service to users and optimize the use of variable renewable energies, mainly wind power.

Emblematic projects of energy storage in Latin America and the Caribbean

NOMBRE DEL PROYECTO LOCALIZACIÓN TECNOLOGÍA DESCRIPCIÓN

Complejo Hidroeléctrico Rio Grande Córdoba, Argentina Hydroelectric Power Plant of Bomber It has a capacity of 750 MW, it can operate in pump generation mode. An account with an upper and a lower dam located 12 km below the waters, with a drop of 185 m. It transforms base and low-cost energy into high-end energy during hours of greatest demand. more information

Thermosolar Plant Cerro Dominador Antofagasta, Chile Thermosolar Concentration (CSP) with cast sales Thermosolar plant with 110 MW tower with a storage capacity of 17.5 hours using a cast sales system (cold and hot sales tanks), location permits manage the energy produced and inject energy during the night. more information

Alfalfa I Hydroelectric Power Plant San José del Maipó, Chile Lithium Ion Batteries The 10MW/50MWh storage system goes along with the 178 MW power plant, constituting a virtual reservoir. more information

Photovoltaic Plants Albireo 1 and 2 Usulután, El Salvador Lithium Ion Batteries The 3 MW/1.5 MWh lithium-ion battery system is accompanied by 140 MWp photovoltaic plants with total installed capacity. The system provides frequency regulation services required by the regulations. 

more information

Aura Solar III Baja California Sur, Mexico Ion de Litio El SAE de 10.5 MW completes the 32MWp solar photovoltaic plant and proves frequent frequency regulation, and can provide other complementary services. More information

Aura Solar III Baja California Sur, Mexico 10.5 MW El SAE Lithium-Ion Batteries accompany the 32MWp solar photovoltaic plant and provide primary frequency regulation, and can provide other

complementary services. more information

Andrés and DPP Dominican Republic Lithium-Ion Batteries From storage systems of 10 MW each and 30 minutes of duration. Provides primary frequency regulation of gas-based electrical generation plants.

more information

Termozipa Zipaquirá, Colombia SAE Lithium-Ion Batteries 7 MW and 3.9 MWh to improve the performance of the Termozipa thermal plant and maximize its electricity delivery. more information

At the technological level, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) also has the opportunity to increase their participation in the value chain for the manufacture of batteries. Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile sum about 60% of the identified reserves of lithium. The IDB is supporting these three countries through technical assistance

The use of batteries in micro-networks, 

a key role in improving access to energy in isolated areas

The use of promo and lithium-ion batteries in micro-networks for electrification in isolated areas is the application of greater experience while installing SAE in the region. The introduction of SAEs to accompany solar power stations in isolated and island areas has allowed to eliminate or lessen the need for the use of diesel generators. This has allowed to increase the efficiency of the systems, reduce the operating costs and the complex fuel supply logistics, as well as CO2 emissions and other local contaminating gases, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxides. Table 2 presents some micro-network projects financed by the IDB in the region.