sbiJun 4, 2023
In spring 2022, after having been in one too many discussions about batteries, energy storage, and renewable share in energy grids, I decided to write a Twitter 🧵 on the subject, trying to collect what I have learned in the decade before that. I think it's high time I transferred this to mastodon, as long as I still can at least read Twitter.
Also, there are a few things I wanted to improve on that thread, so this is my chance.
Show threadsbiJun 4, 2023
The TL;DR:
i) Due the need to do primary control (frequency response), a 100% renewable grid is impossible. You need either combustion engines or batteries to run your grid.
ii) Batteries are not great for storing significant amounts of energy, but they are very well suited for frequency response.
Show threadJona JoachimApr 7, 2024
@sbi
In Luxembourg for many years there has been a plant where water is pumped up a hill into a reservoir when energy demand is low and it can be released when demand surges. I think that's a pretty good route for the frequency control problem
Show threadsbi
@jaj Yes, when you have the necessary geographic features, these are great for storing lots of energy. OTOH, they are relatively slow. So they are used very differently from batteries.
Sadly, I have never had the opportunity to work with one of them.
Apr 7, 2024 at 8:13amWeb
Show threadJona JoachimApr 7, 2024

@sbi
This is the plant:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vianden_Pumped_Storage_Plant

There is also flywheel energy storage, I don't know if you looked into that https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel_storage_power_system

Vianden Pumped Storage Plant - Wikipedia

Show threadsbiApr 7, 2024
@jaj Cool!