Managing and Developing Innovation: Renewable Energy Storage Solutions

This report addresses the critical issue of low electricity storage capacity within the renewable energy sector, specifically focusing on the Australian context. It introduces and analyzes the innovative concept of high-temperature electrolysis as a solution, which converts electricity into hydrogen for storage and re-electrification. The report details the problem statement, concept description, and a comprehensive analysis of the technology's efficiency and advantages over traditional storage methods like batteries. It also explores the skills and team composition necessary for implementing this innovation, including engineers, sustainability professionals, and energy market consultants. The report concludes that the adoption of high-temperature electrolysis can significantly enhance the storage capacity of renewable energy sources, thereby promoting the utilization of 100% renewable energy in Australia and other nations.

Managing and Developing
Innovation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Section 1...........................................................................................................................................1
Problem statement and concept description................................................................................1
Section 2...........................................................................................................................................2
Concept analysis..........................................................................................................................2
Section 3...........................................................................................................................................3
Skills and Team required............................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
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INTRODUCTION
Innovation includes the application of information, imagination and initiative in respect
to deliver great and different values from resources. It is the aspect which has huge demand in
today's period of time for the purpose of ascertaining solution in respect to current problems
persist in any sector. The sector which is selected to focus is Electrical and Renewable Energy.
The main aim of this report is about determination of problem in this sector and providence of
solution for same through introduction of innovative concept. Currently, the issue faced by
renewable energy sector is related to low storage capacity of electricity (Evans, Strezov and
Evans, 2012).
This report covers explanation of problem statement and concept description along with
its successful analysis. Also, determination of the skills and team requires to materialize the
concept is covered in this report.
Section 1
Problem statement and concept description
Electrical and Renewable energy sector works for the purpose of development of energy
through use of renewable sources which are not depleting in nature. The different kind of sources
which are used in development of the same includes wind power, hydroelectricity, Solar PV,
heat pumps, geothermal, wave and solar thermal energy. In terms of Australia, the contribution
of renewable sources towards the generation of electricity is around 21.3% of the the total
amount which is generated in that nation.
The major issue faced in the nation is related to the storage of electricity generated with
the help of renewable resources. The impact of the same is direct over the nation in terms of its
capacity to use 100% renewable sources of power generation.
The aspect which help in removal of this issue is about the development of new kind of
batteries and storage system that have power to store large amount of energy. Innovation is the
only medium that can help get rid of this issue (Alotto, Guarnieri and Moro, 2014).
The basic innovative idea that help to improve the storage includes the use of technology
of high temperature electrolysis which provides an opportunity in conversion of electricity into
hydrogen and storage of same in that manner. At the time of consumption or need, this stored
electricity in the form Hydrogen is re-electrified. The usage of this technology has huge
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importance because this help in storage of electricity in more amount in comparison to the
batteries or pumped hydro and CAES. The efficiency of this technology at the time of re-
electrification is high in comparison to the Alkaline and PEM. The technology of High
temperature Electrolysis has the efficiency of 90% whereas others have the capacity of just 60 to
65%.
Another advantages that can be associated with this innovative concept of storage is
about the use of hydrogen for some other purposes such as feedstock in chemical and
petrochemical industry, supply of electric power to small islands or isolated sites etc. So, the
value derived from the use of this technology is twin in nature which allows storage of large
amount of energy along with the usage of same for different other purposes (Ma, Yang and Lu,
2014).
Section 2
Concept analysis
The concept of usage of Hydrogen for storage of electricity is effective in nature because
this will includes the application of the technology of High Temperature Electrolysis. This
technology works as conversion of electricity into Hydrogen which stores in large amount as
compared to other mediums. The working of this technology along with the contribution of this
aspect in attainment of competitive advantage in energy sector is understood from the description
provided below:
High temperature electrolysis is the mature technology which is used in both large and
small systems which help in the conversion of electricity into hydrogen which has efficiency of
re-electrification up-to 90% which is quite high in comparison to the technologies like Alkaline
and PEM which have efficiency up-to the limit of 65 to 70% only.
Use of the above mentioned technology help in conversion where small amount of
hydrogen (Up-to few MWH) is stores in pressurized vessels or some other solid metal Hydrides
or nanotubes in very high amount of density. Another medium where hydrogen can be stored
named as salt caverns which are underground in nature and constructed for that purpose only.
The limit of storage of these constructed mediums is around 500,000 cubic meters at 2,900 psi,
which would mean about 100 GWH of stored electricity. The usage of technology in appropriate
manner allows longer period of flaws or of excess wind/PV energy production in levelled
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manner. This will also provides an opportunity to attain balance in the seasonal variations
(Working of Hydrogen storage energy. 2019).
The different number of edges which are associated with the application of this
technology in storage under renewable energy sector is understood from the points i.e. storage of
high amount of electricity in comparison to other normal batteries. This also supported by the
strength of the current technology about efficiency in re-electrification process of 90%.
Secondly, attainment of the levelling up procedure or power through the use of this technology
provides edge through keep balance in between excess wind/PV energy production. In last, the
edge of this technology also provides an opportunity to bring balance in between seasonal
variations. So, overall contribution ascertained in the manner that this will provides an
opportunity to use the power whole year in consecutive manner developed with the help of
renewable resources. This will also help the nation to take step towards the consumption of
100% renewable sources for energy generation and consumption (Pawel, 2014).
Section 3
Skills and Team required
In formulation of High temperature Electrolyses different kind of materials can be use
includes solid oxide electrolyser cell which is essential in the nature to develop electrodes and
electrolyte. Also, the use of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes, nickel-cermet
steam/hydrogen electrodes, and mixed oxide of lanthanum, strontium and cobalt oxygen
electrodes (Kalinci, Hepbasli and Dincer, 2015).
The different number of skills requires in the development of the same includes reasoning
and thinking along with core physics principles, use of AI and robotics and related to
investigation of new sources of generating power. Some other kind of skills which are needed to
have includes disposable methods, production techniques, monitoring and controlling, electronic
equipments, knowledge of circuit boards, designing of the machines and tools along with its
repairing and maintenance, technical plans and blue prints.
The different number of teams requires in effective formulation of the innovative idea
along with adherence of above mentioned skills includes Engineers, sustainability professionals,
solar project team along with different member's, principle consultant of senior energy market
and accounts & administration team (Diouf and Pode, 2015).
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CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that innovation is the important aspect which
always help to find out the solution which is sustainable and competent in nature. The major
issue faced by the Australian renewable energy sector is related to storage capacity. The
acceptance of the innovative concept of high temperature electrolytes help in removal of the
same issue through conversion of electricity into Hydrogen. This improves the capacity of
storage of electricity in hydrogen form. Also, this technology have the extra strength in process
re-electrification with having efficiency of 90% in comparison to Alkaline and PEM which has
just 50 to 60%. The converted electricity into hydrogen is also used for some other purposes such
as providence of same to isolated islands and attain balancing in seasonal variations.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alotto, P., Guarnieri, M. and Moro, F., 2014. Redox flow batteries for the storage of renewable
energy: A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews. 29. pp.325-335.
Diouf, B. and Pode, R., 2015. Potential of lithium-ion batteries in renewable energy. Renewable
Energy. 76. pp.375-380.
Evans, A., Strezov, V. and Evans, T.J., 2012. Assessment of utility energy storage options for
increased renewable energy penetration. Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Reviews. 16(6). pp.4141-4147.
Kalinci, Y., Hepbasli, A. and Dincer, I., 2015. Techno-economic analysis of a stand-alone hybrid
renewable energy system with hydrogen production and storage options. international
journal of hydrogen energy. 40(24). pp.7652-7664.
Ma, T., Yang, H. and Lu, L., 2014. Feasibility study and economic analysis of pumped hydro
storage and battery storage for a renewable energy powered island. Energy Conversion
and Management. 79. pp.387-397.
Pawel, I., 2014. The cost of storage–how to calculate the levelized cost of stored energy (LCOE)
and applications to renewable energy generation. Energy Procedia. 46. pp.68-77.
Online
Working of Hydrogen storage energy. 2019 [Online]. Available Through:
<https://energystorage.org/why-energy-storage/technologies/hydrogen-energy-storage/>
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