Unlocking true potential of energy storage

Unlocking true potential of energy storage, was presented by Sarang Gadre, GM, Honeywell Process Solutions, and Bryan Glover, Chief Growth Officer, Honeywell PMT, at the Honeywell conference in Chicago, USA.

First, a look at trends driving need for energy storage and digitalization. In climate emergency, urgent action is needed globally to prevent a climate disaster. We have government net-zero targets, and from large corporations. Next, there is increasing renewables and demand for clean energy. There will be increased renewables penetration. Further demand for clean energy will be driven by decarbonising C&I, transport, and heat sectors.

Greater flexibility will be needed. There are increased renewables and decreasing synchronous machines on the grid. Alternative models for utilities to procure flexibility services are a must. As are alternative models for C&I to procure energy solutions. Looking at the technology advancements, the cost of Li-ion batteries has fallen significantly over the past 10 years. Alternatives to Li-ion batteries are gaining more traction especially for longer duration solutions. Software is key to unlocking real value and flexibility from assets. Finally, we have reliability/resiliency. In 2021 alone there were four major black out events, across Europe, Texas, Mexico, and Lebanon.

Honeywell has turnkey solution for battery energy storage. It includes Ionic, with integrated BESS and controls. Another is the Experion Energy Control System, and the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) advanced control software. The Honeywell Ionic emphasizes energy density, flexibility and future proofing. VPPs aggregate energy resources from multiple sites.

There is the NREL energy storage ecosystem. Longer duration technologies are in various stages of commercialization. Electrochemical-based technologies are positioned to address both ends of usage spectrum. Lithium batteries dominate power storage sector, but are highly exposed to commodity volatility. Technology selection will depend on the final use cases. Flow batteries are centrally positioned to address customer needs and challenges.

A flow battery is an electrochemical cell that works by pumping electrolyte through the system on separate sides of the ion-selective membrane to enable reduction/oxidation of the active species and reversibly converting electricity to chemical energy. Non-flammable electrolyte is designed with recyclable components and easy-to-source materials. Proprietary Honeywell membrane with proprietary advanced electrolyte system is optimized for the membrane.

Benefits of flow battery include long duration from 1-12 hours, offers flexibility, and safe, non-flammable electrolyte. There is no degradation. It offers multiple cycles per day, decoupled and modular, has over 20 years lifetime, and improves the levelized cost of storage value. They have on-grid and off-grid apps.

There was an overview of BESS. Honeywell can provide end-to-end battery storage solutions.