Energy Storage
Energy storage is crucial for the clean energy transition. The more renewable energy on the grid, the better – though these resources are predictable and reliable they are intermittent in nature.
Energy storage allows for ‘firming up’ renewable resources and maximizing their value to the grid. In addition, energy storage can reduce the cost of electricity, by storing when electricity is the cheapest or most abundant and dispatching it during more expensive times or when higher customer demand occurs.
Without currently having time of use rates on our electricity bills, we don’t see these cheaper and more expensive times, but they still exist to the utility.
Power on the grid has traditionally gone from generation to transmission to distribution to customers flowing in one direction. But with more individuals and businesses producing their own power from solar panels, the power can now flow in multiple directions. The grid was not initially built for this, but it is able to adapt through the addition of technologies including storage.
Energy Storage on an Islanded Grid
On an islanded grid such as the Yukon grid (which is not interconnected with any other provinces or territories), without energy storage, electricity must be generated and consumed at exactly the same time. Any time an appliance is used in your home - for example, if the oven or lights are turned on -, somewhere on the grid generation is taking place to balance out this load.
Energy storage adds flexibility to this equation and allows electricity to be stored and then discharged at later times.
Increasing proliferation of roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) has seen a growing interest in pairing solar panels with lithium-ion batteries. This allows the home-owner to maximize the usefulness of their solar energy, by storing solar-generated electricity for cloudy periods or after sun sets.
Though lithium batteries for home storage systems such as the 'power wall' are most commonly discussed, other storage methods exist. Below are a list of case studies for the Yukon context that can complement individual energy storage systems.
Energy Storage Case Studies in the Yukon
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Lithium ion batteries exist in various configurations and sizes. They are the most popular form of battery storage - found in cars, homes, or on a grid-scale size.
Battery technology is improving, but limited by how many times one can be charged and discharged
Short duration storage (daily charge and discharge)
In the Yukon, construction has begun on the new grid-scale battery storage system on Robert Service Way near the Alaska Highway. When finished, the battery will be the largest of its kind in the North, and one of the largest in Canada. (Source)
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Electric Thermal Storage is a home heating system that separates heat production from heat delivery
Heat is stored in ceramic bricks: no limit on the number of times it can be charged and discharged
Installed in 44 Yukon homes through the Yukon Electric Thermal Storage Demonstration Project - lead by the Yukon Conservation Society
Learn more: https://www.yukonconservation.ca/ets
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Hydroelectric power utilises the flow of natural flowing water to generate electricity. Pumped storage hydroelectricity is a technique that utilizes reservoirs at two different elevations. Having the reservoirs at two different elevations allows the system to behave as a large battery, using energy to pump water to the higher reservoir when there is a surplus and releasing that water when needed.
Pumped hydropower requires a specific landscape.
Long Duration storage. Capabilities of seasonal storage, for example pumping to the higher reservoir in the summer for use in the winter.
Learn more about the Moon Lake project
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In short: the benefits of Energy Storage
Energy storage…
Maximizes Renewable Energy
Reduces Electricity Costs
Increases Grid Reliability
