The Cost of Energy Storage with Air Battery
Updated: May 09, 2024 09:36 AM EST
Introduction
BaroMar, an Israel-based startup, aims to use compressed air as a long-term energy storage solution. The company plans to build a pilot project in Cyprus, storing air on the sea bed. This innovative technology could provide cost-effective grid-level storage, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Air Battery
BaroMar’s technology, known as Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES), utilizes large air compressors to store excess power generated by renewable energy plants. The compressed air is stored in rigid tanks, which can be submerged underwater to reduce costs. When energy is needed, the air is released to run a generator and supply electricity to the grid.
How Does This Work?
BaroMar plans to build underwater tanks using steel and concrete, securing them to the sea bed with rocks. These tanks are designed with water-permeable valves, allowing seawater to fill the tanks. The compressor on land pumps compressed air into the tanks at high pressures. The hydrostatic pressure of the exterior water helps store the high-pressure air, eliminating the need for special materials.
Cost and Efficiency
BaroMar estimates a Levelized Cost of Storage (LCoS) of $100 per MWh, making it $30 cheaper than its competitors. The system’s round-trip efficiency is estimated to be 70 percent, surpassing previous storage solutions. These cost-effective and efficient characteristics contribute to achieving SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
Conclusion
BaroMar’s innovative approach to energy storage using compressed air has the potential to revolutionize the industry. By leveraging underwater tanks, the company can reduce costs and improve efficiency. This aligns with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Further research and development will determine the feasibility and scalability of this technology.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the use of compressed air as a long-term energy storage solution, which is connected to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) as it aims to provide a cost-effective and reliable energy storage solution. It is also connected to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) as it involves the development of innovative technology for energy storage. Additionally, it is connected to SDG 13 (Climate Action) as it supports the integration of renewable energy sources and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
- Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
The article’s content aligns with these targets as it discusses the development of a cost-effective energy storage solution using compressed air, which contributes to ensuring universal access to affordable and reliable energy services (Target 7.1) and increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2). It also involves the use of innovative technology for energy storage, contributing to the upgrade of infrastructure and adoption of clean technologies (Target 9.4). Furthermore, by supporting the integration of renewable energy sources, it contributes to climate change mitigation and the integration of climate change measures into national policies (Target 13.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Levelized Cost of Storage (LCoS): The article mentions that BaroMar’s LCoS is $100 per MWh, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards affordable and reliable energy services (Target 7.1).
- Share of Renewable Energy: The article discusses the use of compressed air as a storage solution for renewable energy, indicating progress towards increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2).
- Adoption of Clean Technologies: The use of compressed air as an energy storage solution can be seen as an adoption of a clean technology, contributing to the retrofitting of industries with sustainable and clean technologies (Target 9.4).
- Integration of Climate Change Measures: The article highlights the use of compressed air storage to support renewable energy integration, which can be seen as an indicator of integrating climate change measures into national policies and planning (Target 13.2).
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets by assessing the cost-effectiveness of energy storage solutions, the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, the adoption of clean technologies in the industry, and the integration of climate change measures in national policies and planning.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services. | Levelized Cost of Storage (LCoS) – $100 per MWh |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Share of Renewable Energy – Compressed air storage for renewable energy integration |
| Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. | Adoption of Clean Technologies – Compressed air storage as a clean technology for energy storage | |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Integration of Climate Change Measures – Compressed air storage supporting renewable energy integration |
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Fuente: interestingengineering.com
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