Energy Biz - March/April 2008 - (Page 48) cycle costs of a 20 megawatts flywheel-based power plant designed to perform frequency regulation ancillary services in three independent system operator (ISO) markets. KEMA developed a model to compare the life cycle cost of a flywheel plant with four types of commercially available fossil power generation technologies used to perform frequency regulation services, as well as with a lead acid battery storage system functioning similarly to the flywheel system. Results of the analysis show that flywheel-based regulation can be expected to have significantly lower life cycle costs (LCC) compared to several competing technologies studied. The modeling also examined CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions and demonstrated that flywheel-based frequency regulation can be expected to create significantly lower NOx and SO2 emissions. Several European energy storage projects in which KEMA is involved may also have useful applications in the North American market. One of these, the Redox Flow battery, presents an interesting alternative to traditional pumped or compressed air energy storage. The Redox Flow technology combines an electrode and catalyst assembly with a membrane electrode assembly into one operational system. It is anticipated that this type of storage technology can assist in the integration of small-scale, sustainable generation units into the distribution network while maintaining power quality. Another European storage project involved transportable storage systems. Transportable storage provides a flexible asset for network management, introducing possibilities for deferral of investment in expensive switchgear and avoidance of stranded assets. KEMA is part of a European consortium for the Sixth Framework Program, a demonstration project using transportable and flexible storage systems with participation from France, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Cyprus, Germany and Spain. Storage systems will be evaluated at five sites using a technical/economic assessment tool, which includes intelligent prediction software. Each storage system will be tested at a minimum of two sites, to assure that the storage systems can be successfully transported and operated. tappIng Into the power of Blue energy A promising renewable energy technology, Blue Energy, is derived from harnessing the physical and chemical differences between fresh and salt water. Like osmosis, the process uses membranes. However, instead of using pressure to create energy, Blue Energy relies on reverse electrodialysis. KEMA is currently testing this technology in the Netherlands and believes that Blue Energy has the potential to generate ten times more power than currently generated in the Netherlands from wind farms. This capability would have significant environmental benefits, since no greenhouse gases are released in generating the electricity. This technology has enormous potential for other countries rich with river deltas, such as Brazil, China and Bangladesh. What is Blue energy? Blue Energy is the name given to electricity produced by harnessing the difference between fresh water and salt water. It requires two types of membranes, one that is selectively permeable for positive ions and one that is selectively permeable for negative ions. Salt water that is separated from fresh water between two such mem- 48 E n E rgyB i z March/April 2008 ThOughT LE aDErshiP – sPOnsOrED By kEMa
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