Page 43 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2017 publication
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Summer 2017 European Energy Innovation 43
ENERGY STORAGE
transport and industry sectors. Hydrogen we can look at battery performance Distribution and Markets Unit at
can enable long term storage of energy and safety under a range of simulated the JRC.
in underground caverns. It can be used environmental conditions”, explains
as a fuel or feedstock, or converted into Lois Boon-Brett, project leader working The JRC’s research findings support
chemicals for industrial use”, said Marc in the Energy Storage Unit. the work of the European Commission
Steen, Senior Expert in energy storage and feed into the policies and decision-
at the JRC. ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES making at EU level. Ultimately, the
ENABLE SMART GRIDS JRC’s pre-normative research supports
With its pre-normative research, The smart grid offers many advantages the deployment of energy storage
the JRC aims to enable the in terms of sustainability, increased technologies to achieve the European
commercialisation of hydrogen energy efficiency and enhanced energy Union policy goals pertaining to
in a number of technologies and security. Smart grids can help integrate transitioning to a low-carbon, safe,
applications. The research outputs feed more renewables in the energy system, secure and sustainable EU overall
into fit-for-purpose performance-based accommodate electric vehicles, give energy system.
European and international standards more control to consumers over their
and regulations for hydrogen storage, energy consumption, avoid blackouts The Strategic Energy Technology
detection and safety. and restore power quickly when Plan (SET Plan) plays a key role in the
outages occur. European energy policy.
HOW FAR CAN I DRIVE BEFORE THE
BATTERY RUNS OUT? Energy storage is a key element for the The SET Plan is one of the core
The use of rechargeable battery success of smart grids. Storage offers initiatives of the Research, Innovation
technologies for energy storage in flexibility in the demand and supply and Competitiveness dimension of the
utility-scale applications is a rapidly phases and contributes to the resilience Energy Union strategy. It responds to
developing area, but also the electric and adequacy of the system. new challenges needed for accelerating
vehicle industry is heavily dependent the European energy system’s
on safe and high performance At the JRC, scientists have created transformation towards a competitive
batteries. models to simulate the future prospects low-carbon economy, and places
of low-carbon technologies and energy consumers at the heart of the system.
Anticipating the growing need for storage options. On the basis of these
robust and impartial research on models, they are able to analyse The SET Plan helps to coordinate
rechargeable energy storage systems, the interaction between policies, national research and innovation
the JRC has established state of the economics, resources, infrastructures activities by promoting cooperation
art experimental facilities in Petten and the market uptake of these among European countries, industrial
dedicated to batteries. The facilities technologies. companies, research institutions, and
are used to evaluate the safety and the European Commission itself. It also
performance of batteries as well as “We have created very detailed supports the most impactful low-carbon
emerging battery materials, their models of the European power system, technologies and facilitates the funding
ageing and performance covering the continental scale (EU of projects. The JRC’s work in the field
degradation. The research is done in Member States and beyond), the of energy storage is brought together
collaboration with European industry regional scale (e.g. Baltics, Cyprus) and in the SET Plan within the Temporary
representatives and with trusted the local scale (e.g. distribution grids Working Groups (TWG). The JRC
international partners. for smart cities and rural electrification). coordinates the TWG on Batteries and
These models are used to perform E-mobility and participates in the TWG
“We test electric vehicle battery analyses supporting policies on energy on Optimised EU Power grid. l
materials, cells, modules and packs security, Projects of Common Interest,
to support technology innovation generation adequacy, renewable Contact details:
and international e-mobility safety energy and demand response
legislation. Our facilities are equipped integration at the EU, national and Email: JRC-PRESS@ec.europa.eu
with thermal, electrical, mechanical and local level”, explains Gianluca Fulli,
analytical experimental facilities, so that Deputy Head of the Energy Security,
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
