Session 3 : Realising the Paradigm Shift Scenario

Mr. Pitschak presented the advantages of energy storage via hydrogen:

• long term storage
• dissociation of charge, discharge cycles and storage capacity
• flexibility for use in many applications
• zero emissions throughout the entire system
• hydrogen technology continuing to develop

In terms of cost, hydrogen storage capacity would cost less than 100 dollars/ kWh.
In a 2 million m³ underground hydrogen reservoirs (salt caverns usually used to store natural gas), up to 600 000 MWh could be stored.
A memorandum of understanding was signed to work on hydrogen cars, which could be available by 2015.

The integration of large amounts of renewable energy requires an increased flexibility of the grid management and generation mix. All technologies which contribute to the future grid architecture will increase the need for storage.

Energy storage is also useful for rural electrification purposes. Mr. Lippert presented the different forms of storage depending on the type of supply (centralised/distributed) and the type of demand (commercial/household).

Between 2-8 kWh/day need to be stored for a typical household’s consumption in Spain or Germany. 

Mr. Lippert mentioned that a French-German project “Sol-ion” addresses the topic of conversion/storage and management of PV energy. 75 systems in France and Germany will be studied in 2009-2010.
3 major types of battery chemistries were described:

• Li (Lithium), which is a young technology, offering smaller and lighter storage and higher energy density
• Ni (Nickel): proven technology in off-shore and harsh conditions, which offers a long lifetime
• Pb (lead): has a low cost production, and proven application

Mr. Lippert explained that recycling and collection circuits are available for all these electrochemistries.
In terms of cost, today batteries cost between 20 cent and 1 euro/delivered kWh. It is expected that by 2020, their cost will decrease to 6-40 cents/delivered kWh.
The presentation stressed the numerous applications of energy storage and the range of available technologies. Technical and cost roadmaps will increase the spectrum of economically viable value propositions.

Mr. Perlo stressed that transport is responsible for about 30% of GHG emissions and for over 70% of all oil consumed in Europe. This sector is expected to keep growing at a fast pace until 2020.

Mr. Perlo raised the point that 10 years ago, there was about 30-40% more energy consumption than nowadays. According to him, a convergence between electrical vehicles and renewable energy is the most effective way to act on both primary energy savings (Economy) and emission control (Health).

Two PV reference technologies can be used in cars: c-Si and CIGS technologies.
Conservative average daily energy produced by on-board solar cells in Torino, Italy with existing PV technologies could be as much as 1.8 kWh/day (657 kWh/year).

An off-board installation of 2 kWp of solar panels on a garage in Torino produces 2,200 kWh/year. 70% (1,540 kWh) of this energy can be transferred to the wheels.

The Smart Grid Platform will soon publish a first quantitative document on the impact on society of electricity powered cars. The study should be available on the Smart Grid Platform website: http://www.smartgrids.eu/

Stefan Nowak presented the Blue Scenario, developed by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

According to the latter, about 46,5% of renewable energy sources will be needed by 2050 in the global power energy mix.  According to this scenario, 7% of the total electricity generated will come from solar PV by 2050 globally, which would represent about 30 GW/year of annual installed capacity and 215 km2 of solar panels.

A detailed roadmap for PV is currently under development for presentation at IEA Ministerial (October 2009). Further roadmaps will be published, for example on smart grids, in late 2009-2010.