Optimizing Energy Storage for Ultra High Renewable Electricity Systems

NCRES - Optimizing Energy Storage for Ultra-High Renewable Electricity Systems

Join CRES as we host Dr. Omar J. Guerra of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as he discusses findings from the analysis "Optimal energy storage portfolio for high and ultrahigh carbon-free and renewable power systems," published in Energy & Environmental Science. The paper focuses on a system-specific approach to identify the optimal mix of different types of storage and strategies that allow a path toward 100% renewable electrical systems.

Dr. Guerra and his team explored energy storage technologies at all timescales, including short-duration, long-duration (LDES), and seasonal storage. They found that a portfolio strategy makes the best economic sense for energy systems as they transition towards ultra-high renewable energy scenarios.

While each storage technology faces its own trade-offs in terms of performance and economics, optimal stacking of these technologies provides flexibility and lower costs in pursuing carbon-free energy systems. Furthermore, this approach allows customization based on the unique characteristics of each energy system, in particular geographic variation (e.g., CAISO versus MISO).

Timeline:
00:00 Welcome and announcements - Peter Eberle
01:06 Presentation - Omar José Guerra Fernández
40:48 Q&A

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Omar José Guerra Fernández is a research engineer at the Power System Design and Planning (PSDP) group in the Grid Planning and Analysis Center (GPAC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, Colorado. He received the B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from Industrial University of Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia, in 2005; the M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2009, and was awarded the Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering by Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States, in 2017.

At NREL, he is conducting research to develop a better understanding of the economics of renewable energy technologies, including energy storage, hydrogen, wind power, solar photovoltaic power, and CO2 electrolysis technologies. He is the author or co-author of a variety of publications on the following topics: economics of multiscale energy storage, hydrogen, and CO2 electrolysis technologies; integration of wind and solar photovoltaic power sources into energy systems; and modeling, simulation, and optimization of large-scale integrated energy systems. His awards include the NREL President’s Award 2021 and the College of Engineering Outstanding Research Award, Purdue University, 2017.

The program was hosted by Peter Eberle, CRES Chair and NCRES Program Manager.

A question and answer session followed Mr. Fernández’ presentation.

This program was organized by the Northern Colorado chapter of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society and was recorded at their February 22, 2022 meeting. Contact us at [email protected] or visit us online at https://www.cres-energy.org/. Video production provided by Brian Beinlich, https://brianbeinlich.com.

ABOUT CRES:

The Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) is dedicated to the advancement of all forms of renewable energy (RE), energy efficiency (EE), and their synergy with sustainability and economic development. Learn more at https://www.cres-energy.org/

CRES features several local monthly speaker series throughout the state, provides speakers, experts, and workshops, and weighs in on state energy policy.