Can chemical plants be used for energy storage projects

What is chemical energy storage?

DEFINITION: Energy stored in the form of chemical fuels that can be readily converted to mechanical, thermal or electrical energy for industrial and grid applications. Power generation systems can leverage chemical energy storage for enhanced flexibility.

How does chemical storage work?

Depending on how it is stored, it can be kept over long periods and is not seasonally dependent like pumped hydro. Chemical storage can add power into the grid and also store excess power from the grid for later use. Alternatively, many chemicals used for energy storage, like hydrogen, can decarbonize industry and transportation.

Why is energy stored in other chemical forms?

But, energy is also stored in other chemical forms, including biomass like wood, gases such as hydrogen and methane, and batteries. These other chemical forms are key enablers for decarbonization of our electric grid, industrial operations, and the transportation sector.

What can chemical energy storage scientists do for PNNL?

Chemical energy storage scientists are working closely with PNNL’s electric grid researchers, analysts, and battery researchers. For example, we have developed a hydrogen fuel cell valuation tool that provides techno-economic analysis to inform industry and grid operators on how hydrogen generation and storage can benefit their local grid.

Why do we need a chemical energy source?

These other chemical forms are key enablers for decarbonization of our electric grid, industrial operations, and the transportation sector. Hydrogen and other energy-carrying chemicals can be produced from diverse, domestic energy sources, such as renewable energy, nuclear power, and fossil fuels.

What are the main uses of heat in chemical plants?

The main uses of heat in chemical plants are for reactions and separations. Reactors are where chemistry happens to make the stuff we use in our everyday lives like fertilizers and the base chemicals of plastics. Often, this chemistry requires significant amounts of heat at high temperatures, as high as 1100°C, depending on the reaction.