INVESTIRE: Investigation on storage technologies for intermittent renewable energies: evaluation and recommended R&D strategy

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 01.0256

Key words (French)

Stockage; batteries; énergies renouvellables;
Environmental Protection; Energy Saving; Renewable Sources of Energy;
JRC

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: ENK5-2000-20336

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.4b.8 Generic R&D activities

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique GENEC (F)

Abstract (English)

Objectives and Problems to be solved:
The main objectives of the network are to review and assess existing storage technologies in the context of renewable energy applications, to facilitate exchange of information between the main actors and to propose appropriate RTD actions for the future.

More detailed objectives can be listed as follows:
- To review all possible storage technologies the most suited to renewable energy systems, mainly wind and photovoltaic systems;
- To compare and assess the most relevant features and then to propose the best scope of application of each storage technology;
- To deliver the results of past and current research carried out on a national or international basis to potential users (laboratories, PV or wind systems suppliers, renewable energy project managers);
- To facilitate collaboration and exchange among EC-supported research projects in this field;
- To help identify research priorities and publish a 5/10 years RTD roadmap;
- To encourage the formation of new RTD partnerships;
- To foster co-operation between battery manufacturers and renewable energies system designers or suppliers.

Description of the work:
This work will start with a brief review of the available storage technologies and the main actors. The requirements of the main types of renewable energy systems will then be listed. This will result in a list of technical criteria, which will form the basis to compare in an harmonised situation the performance of all the storage technologies. The advantages and drawbacks of each technology will therefore be underlined, and the gap between the conventional lead batteries and new candidates will be evaluated. Data already existing in the field or within the manufacturers and the laboratories will be used to ascertain the results.
Of course, the storage technologies will also be assessed from an economic standpoint, analysing both the present situation and the prospects, and considering their environmental impact.
The project will finally include the writing of a strategy document for future R&D, and the dissemination of all the information made available.

Expected Results and Exploitation Plans:
- A summary of the state-of-the-art of the existing storage technologies and a mapping of centres of excellence in this field;
- The requirements and the expectations for the storage function within the various types of renewable energy systems (useable capacity, efficiency, lifetime, costs);
- An evaluation report on the promising emerging technologies for intermittent renewable energy applications, based on a database of selected examples and case studies.
A proposal for a mid- and long-term RTD strategy in this field, based on the renewable energy requirements, the present and expected technical performance, the cost prospects and the environmental considerations. This strategy report will cover the R&D needs in technological improvements and in standardisation.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0256