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Energy Storage is the Holy Grail for Smart Grid

By Joao Gomes, Technical Manager, , December, 08, 2011 - Storage energy is critical to developing the full potential of Smart Grid, without this tool some promises about a SMART GRID may not be met. The development of this technology is not only important for Electric Cars, but for other areas of the Grid.  more...
Article Viewed 2894 Times  |  31 Comments

As Wind Turbine Market Grows, So Does Reliance on Ultracapacitors

By Brendan Andrews, Vice President - Sales, Ioxus, Inc., August, 30, 2011 -

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Article Viewed 2573 Times  |  12 Comments

Prospects for Future Grid-Scale Thermal Energy Storage

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , June, 29, 2011 - The combination of scientific/technological advances and evolving changes in the power industry provide opportunity to develop large-scale thermal energy storage technology. Engineers used small-scale thermal energy storage during the latter 19th century to provide propulsion for steam-powered submarines that stored saturated water at some 100-psia and 328°F (164°C) in on-board accumulators. Some early railway shunting locomotives carried tanks of saturated water to supply steam to provide short-distance propulsion in the shunting yards.  more...
Article Viewed 3857 Times  |  5 Comments

Are Regulators and Policy makers Helping Investments in Energy Storage?

By Ajay Singh, JD-MBA Candidate, Northwestern University School of Law, May, 27, 2011 - To a large degree, the success in the electric grid is defined by regulatory structure and history, and energy storage lacks both which poses trouble for its adoption. For instance, before California's AB 2514 (which is also known as energy storage law adopted by California in September 2010), there is no mention of energy storage in any of the federal or state energy laws1, and there are only a few regulations that address energy storage, and without any specific regulations the main stake holders (aka investors) will most likely remain uncertain on how energy storage investments will be treated, how the costs for these systems will be recovered, and how energy storage will be permitted to operate in a regulated environment.2 This largely impacts energy storage from investment perspectives for private players. Furthermore, there is no overarching strategy that tries to address such concerns and would try to impact its adoption.3. The foremost reason for this lack of regulation is that energy storage as a concept is very new for utilities, exception to that is pumped hydroelectric storage which have gained some traction. So far, utilities have not wrapped their hands around how energy storage can address their capacity needs.  more...
Article Viewed 2969 Times  |  10 Comments

The Great Mexicali Energy and Shipping Canal

By Roger Arnold, Owner, Silverthorn Engineering, September, 08, 2010 - In September 2008, EnergyPulse published an article by Harry Valentine on "The Potential for Seasonal Energy Storage" 1. One of the possibilities for very large-scale pumped hydroelectric storage that Harry mentioned would operate between the Salton Sea in Southern California and Mexico's Sea of Cortez. I didn't initially think his suggestion was practical. Lately, though, I've reconsidered.  more...
Article Viewed 1222 Times  |  27 Comments

Prospects for Grid-Scale Seasonal Energy Storage

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , July, 06, 2010 -

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Article Viewed 2673 Times  |  24 Comments

Raising Efficiency and Productivity of Large-scale Energy Storage Systems (Part 2)

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , May, 11, 2010 - The traditional form of pumped hydraulic storage involved pumping water to higher elevation during off-peak hours. Another form of pumped storage that has been subject to extensive research and includes proposals for future development involves moving seawater between the ocean and land depressions, such as the Qattara Depression in Egypt and the Dead Sea. Whereas evaporation from a storage reservoir reduces storage efficiency of elevated reservoirs, evaporation actually raises the storage efficiency of reservoirs located in land depressions.  more...
Article Viewed 1871 Times  |  2 Comments

Raising Efficiency and Productivity of Large-scale Energy Storage Systems (Part 1)

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , May, 05, 2010 - Energy storage technologies that involve the use of compressed air, pumping water to higher elevation and heating water to high pressure in a sealed container were developed prior to 1900. Since that time, air pressure and pumped hydraulic storage technologies have continually evolved and developed to capacities of up to several gigawatt hours per installation. The worldwide rising demand for electric power will require more productive use of thermal power stations and will include combining such installations with large-scale energy storage capacity.  more...
Article Viewed 2024 Times  |  8 Comments

The Potential for Rechargeable Electric Municipal Public Transportation

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , February, 19, 2010 - The official worldwide history of electrically powered public transportation began in the year 1890 when electric trams and electric streetcar replaced horse drawn trams and streetcars. Electrically powered subway trains subsequently replaced steam hauled subway trains in London, UK. The construction and introduction of New York City's electrically powered subway trains soon followed. Electrically powered trams, streetcars, suburban rail systems, light rail systems and subway trains plus electric trolleybuses provide essential services on a daily basis to millions of people worldwide.  more...
Article Viewed 1954 Times  |  19 Comments

Power Pricing and Energy Storage along the St Lawrence River System

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , January, 12, 2010 - The waterway system between Lake Superior and the Gulf of St Lawrence provides power generation and the capacity to store massive amounts of energy through pumped hydraulic storage. The well being of a population of several million people who live on both sides of the US-Canada border depend that hydroelectric power generation. At present, the pumped hydraulic storage installation at Ludington, Michigan is the largest of its kind along the waterway.  more...
Article Viewed 1815 Times  |  21 Comments
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