LONG DURATION ENERGY STORAGE (LDES)
WHAT IS LONG DURATION ENERGY STORAGE (LDES)?
The Pakri Peninsula Energy Storage is like an underground hydroelectric power plant, functioning as a gigantic electricity storage facility. When the wind blows and the sun shines, it can pump seawater out using this cheap electricity. When there’s no wind and the weather is cloudy, it can use turbines powered by seawater. The water storage solution is a way for Estonia to transition to 100% independent renewable energy, and in the future, it will result in lower electricity prices for consumers and a smaller carbon footprint.
LONG DURATION ENERGY STORAGE (LDES)
Energy storage systems can be divided into two categories: short-term and long-term. Short-term energy storage lasts a few minutes or hours to address rapid fluctuations in the electrical grid, such as frequency regulation or covering peak loads. Batteries and accumulators are examples of systems used for such tasks. Long-term energy storage refers to technologies that allow storage for extended periods, typically from several hours to weeks or months. This is necessary to balance long-term variations in renewable energy production, such as seasonal wind and solar energy fluctuations. The most common method for this is storing water energy using two bodies of water at different elevations, with a pump station between them.
How does a water storage system zero terrain work?
In a water storage system, energy is produced when seawater is passed through turbines into reservoirs built 750 meters deep. When wind turbines and solar panels generate more electricity than is consumed – i.e., when electricity prices are low – seawater previously pumped into the reservoirs is returned to Paldiski Bay, thus storing energy. During a 30-hour work cycle, the Paldiski water storage system can deliver 15 million kWh of previously stored electricity to the grid, which exceeds the average daily electricity consumption of Estonian households. The Paldiski water storage system can store up to 1.2 TWh of renewable energy annually, ensuring a stable and dispatchable electricity supply. The total capacity for long-term storage reaches 500 MW. Without water storage, renewable energy sources like wind and solar would only be half the equation in bringing lower electricity prices and a smaller carbon footprint to Estonian consumers. The electricity system's large volume, long storage period, high efficiency, and relatively low operational cost per unit of energy give it various advantages. For other questions related to Energy Storage, you can find answers by clicking the
