Two -Phase Polytropic Energy Storage
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Engineering
Abstract
The University of Edinburgh team will work with engineers at Artemis Intelligent Power Ltd to design a compact grid-scale
energy storage facility. The energy storage concept uses a polytropic compression and expansion in a Joule or Brayton
cycle to convert mechanical work to heat, and back. For these processes it uses large, slow moving, piston machines,
giving adequate time for heat exchange processes to occur with high efficiency. Secondary liquids are introduced into the
working gas to absorb and reject heat, so that it can be transferred directly into unpressurised thermal stores (without
recourse to large heat exchangers) - one very hot, the other very cold. All of the processes are theoretically fully reversible.
Each process is being designed to occur with minimal losses, with the aim of equaling or exceeding the efficiency of
pumped hydro storage. Artemis Digital Displacement machines provide the controllable wide motion ratios required to
efficiently interface the high-speed electrical generators to the low-speed compressor expander machines such that
constant power levels are maintained.
This being a first phase programme, it is anticipated that the end goals of this 12 month project will be an outline design,
system simulation model, some critical-path component development to verify performance prior to moving onto building a
pilot energy storage facility.
energy storage facility. The energy storage concept uses a polytropic compression and expansion in a Joule or Brayton
cycle to convert mechanical work to heat, and back. For these processes it uses large, slow moving, piston machines,
giving adequate time for heat exchange processes to occur with high efficiency. Secondary liquids are introduced into the
working gas to absorb and reject heat, so that it can be transferred directly into unpressurised thermal stores (without
recourse to large heat exchangers) - one very hot, the other very cold. All of the processes are theoretically fully reversible.
Each process is being designed to occur with minimal losses, with the aim of equaling or exceeding the efficiency of
pumped hydro storage. Artemis Digital Displacement machines provide the controllable wide motion ratios required to
efficiently interface the high-speed electrical generators to the low-speed compressor expander machines such that
constant power levels are maintained.
This being a first phase programme, it is anticipated that the end goals of this 12 month project will be an outline design,
system simulation model, some critical-path component development to verify performance prior to moving onto building a
pilot energy storage facility.
Planned Impact
The electrical grid needs storage to absorb diurnal variations solar power, it also needs storage to buffer the variability of
wind, wave and tidal power. Arguably, with a lot of inexpensive storage available on the grid, much more renewable
generation can be integrated. Conventional generation can be displaced. The reduction of reliance on fossil fuels will
increase the energy security of the UK and improve air quality. It will also demonstrate to other countries a route forward to
decarbonising our global economy and thus reducing one of the significant drivers of climate change.
People involved in the manufacture and operation of such facilities will gain their livelihoods from them. The relatively
compact critical components can be manufactured in the UK and exported elsewhere, improving the trade balance of the
UK and thus increasing wealth.
Everyone benefits! Except perhaps people involved in mining and selling coal.
wind, wave and tidal power. Arguably, with a lot of inexpensive storage available on the grid, much more renewable
generation can be integrated. Conventional generation can be displaced. The reduction of reliance on fossil fuels will
increase the energy security of the UK and improve air quality. It will also demonstrate to other countries a route forward to
decarbonising our global economy and thus reducing one of the significant drivers of climate change.
People involved in the manufacture and operation of such facilities will gain their livelihoods from them. The relatively
compact critical components can be manufactured in the UK and exported elsewhere, improving the trade balance of the
UK and thus increasing wealth.
Everyone benefits! Except perhaps people involved in mining and selling coal.
People |
ORCID iD |
William Rampen (Principal Investigator) |
Description | The original concepts have evolved, but the use of the Brayton cycle with reciprocating machinery and direct contact heat exchange have been a continuing property of the proposed solution. We have found a way to convert electricity into stored heat, and back again when needed, so as to buffer the instantaneous demands of the grid from the varying supplies - particularly uncontrolled ones such as wind and solar energy. |
Exploitation Route | We have formed a spin-out company, SynchroStor ltd, which is working in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and which is part-funded by BEIS. Since the previous reporting period, SynchroStor has signed a license agreement with a multinational corporation - which is one of the largest manufacturers in the power infrastructure sector. Work continues with an expanded team. The objective in 2021 is to prove out the component technology needed to build a 1MW pilot energy storage plant. An additional application of the compressor expander machine has been identified in the area of geothermal energy. While it is early days, this machine may have a significant advantage over the more conventional turbo-machines usually employed for this |
Sectors | Energy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Security and Diplomacy |
Description | A spin out company SynchrStor Ltd. has been created and launch funding found. SynchroStor has formed a collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and been awarded a £1M BEIS grant to continue work on its grid-scale pumped heat energy storage scheme. SynchroStor has signed a technology license with a multinational in the energy sector. It is now working in collaboration with this company to prove the components at 1 MW scale. |
First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
Sector | Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | A grant from BEIS has been offered to the spinout SynchroStor the programme is Energy Storage Cost Reduction Competition |
Amount | £995,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 08/2020 |
Description | Energy Storage power train |
Organisation | Artemis Intelligent Power Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We have conceptualised a grid scale energy storage mechanism and modelled it to validate it as a concept. We are building a test rig to validate a specific component in the proposed system. |
Collaborator Contribution | Artemis has designed, built and tested an improved ultra-efficient and controllable hydraulic pump/motor which will be needed as part of the powertrain of the energy-storage mechanism. |
Impact | Too recent for concrete output. The work is very multi-disciplinary. The disciplines involved include mechanical design, fluid power engineering, dynamic modelling of thermodynamic systems. Artemis machines also require electronics and embedded software to function (all of which are developed in house). |
Start Year | 2015 |
Company Name | Synchrostor |
Description | Synchrostor develops grid-scale energy storage technology designed to store and generate energy in line with supply and demand. |
Year Established | 2017 |
Impact | none yet |
Website | http://synchrostor.co.uk |
Description | Energy Storage Conference Berlin Feb. 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Chairman of conference and speaker |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | IESIS keynote lecture on Energy Storage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Lecture for IESIS - Scottish Engineering Institute on Energy Storage, 120 people attended. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://www.iesis.org/ |