Blog

By Dez Duran-Lamanilao

The potential of energy storage is ever increasing as technologies become more advanced and more appropriate and the advent of energy storage systems (ESS) begins to gain attention.

The Virtual Energy Store of Upside Energy, for example, in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, is expected to utilize machine learning and distributed artificial intelligence (AI) methods to make the most out of the opportunities present in the emerging energy demand response market. The project may reduce the UK’s reliance on the spinning reserve capacity that is regularly offered by traditional power stations.

In the marine and industrial markets, modern marine power systems can transform the way operations and processes are run in relation to flow rates, pressures and equipment maintenance, among several others. This is how engineers in Germany are preparing for the Stored Energy in the Sea (StEnSEA), a marine energy storage project aimed at facilitating large-scale storage of electrical energy that can compete with existing solutions in terms of costs and efficiency.

The following are some of the key benefits of ESS solutions in the maritime industry:

• Additional power in case of generator failure
• Improved system stability
• Fast responsiveness and enhanced maneuvering capabilities of vessels
• Reduced operating costs
• Lesser risk of blackout or in cases of such, provision for quick power system recovery
• Zero emissions
• Strategic loading

A hybrid ship can be used to leverage and mix various energy sources and generators that will result in an efficient power production. Thus the need to analyze the metrics related to a hybrid energy storage system (HESS), as indicated in the research published in the December 2016 issue of the journal “Electric Power Systems Research” titled “Hybrid energy storage management in ship power systems with multiple pulsed loads.”

If you see your business evolving and transitioning to more effective energy storage solutions, look for efficiency, power and cost-saving capabilities. They are some of the factors that should be present in any maritime energy storage medium.