One of the big problems with our energy needs is that the fluctuations require us to build much larger plants to handle the peak demands. Which means that the plant cannot operate efficiently. (It is best to have any plant running at the same rate all the time.) Or, some have chosen to build a contiguous, smaller facility they can‘rev up’ to handle the peak demands. The problem with the second, smaller plant- even if it runs on natural gas- is the time it takes the facility to ramp up or down to handle those peak demands.
But, there are other alternatives. I wrote about the Dominion Power Bath facility– the one that produces power all day long and during periods of low demand, uses the excess power to pump water up a mountain- and then lets it fall back down, harnessing that hydropower to handle the peak demands.
Now, there’s another facility of interest. One provided by AES, one of the innovative power companies that exist- and operates around the world, using conventional and renewable power supplies. A relatively young (30 y old) company, it operates in 27 countries- and is considered to be one of the better firms to have as one’s employer. The plant that piqued my interest is in West Virginia.
Along 12 miles of Laurel Mountains in West Virginia, AES has situated 61 wind turbines. Ok, you say. There are wind turbines in use all over the place. But, these turbines, which provide 98 MW of electricity, are connected to 1.3 million batteries. So, that when the wind dies down or during peak demand periods, the batteries can supply additional power to the users.
AES is, therefore, addressing a big hurdle that stops power companies from considering wind power. What does one do for power supply when there is no wind? (Or, for solar, when it’s night time.) And, how does one handle peak demands? The problem is that storage is expensive. (I’ve written about other energy storage methods- photochemicals, molten salt- that are being investigated to store energy at reasonable cost with high efficiency. You can find them by looking for photochem or molten in my blog index to the right.)
But, if you’ve been reading carefully, you noticed that this AES facility is doing something a little different. These are not large batteries. There are so many of them because they are similar to the size C and D batteries that we use to power our flashlights. Which means that these small batteries can be fully charged in a period as short as 15 minutes. Which is critical, since the wind farm can have its output drop from 98 MW to zero- in the space of an hour. And, the power output could vary by 20% to 40% over the course of a few minutes. These batteries can then be ready to go- when and if these conditions persist- on the spot.
The problem is that this choice is not cheap. It is rumored that the battery array alone costs about $ 25 million. But, they will provide their output, keeping the plant output optimized. And, will also afford a special task, that many of us don’t consider when examining power plants.
When a power plant is hooked up to a grid like the one in the East Coast (PJM Interconnection), it is critical that the alternating current be synchronized exactly. And, must respond to signals from the grid operator every four seconds- adding or withdrawing power.
More importantly, electricity is priced in five-minute blocks. And, the price for each block varies by time and location of the source. Using the batteries means that AES can be a reliable supplier- and chime in with its power when the prices are higher. Just like day traders tried to do with the peaks and valleys of the stock market prices.
(By the way, America needs to upgrade our grid systems. To render the ability to deliver or receive electricity at various points. To transmit power from longer distances, so that places with great potential for solar and wind power can supply places with great demands for that power that are situated far away. And, to insure that power losses along that journey are smaller. This is the ‘smart grid’ that was talked about. Before we (foolishly) stopped worrying about our infrastructure demands.)
Not really sure I understand this Roy, but it sounds like you do.
Madonna
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Madonna:
When you turn on an engine, you typically hear it. It starts out (sometimes sputtering), and after a few seconds, you can detect the sound of an engine now at “peak” performance. The larger the engine, the longer that period of “adjustment” takes.
When you light a small candle- the wick seems to come to light after just a moment. When you light a larger candle, there is a longer lag.
But, when you flip on your flashlight powered by batteries- it’s on. Right away.
That’s why they chose this system, with its bank of small batteries. They are on instantly. And, being small, they run out quickly- and can be recharged almost as quickly. The number of batteries chosen provide the 98 MW of power for more than one “grid electrical cycle”, so they can be used in that system.
Roy
Thank you for this article Roy…I think we need to know as much as we can about alt energy sources. People in my neck of the woods are very much against the windmills being put up, because “it spoils the view”. And one wonders when they began to put up telephone poles and power lines if they had the same concern. You habituate to it really, and don’t see it after a time, and basically while I understand aesthetics are important to some people it seems a vapid reason not to have a cleaner energy…Thank you I share this! <3
Hmm. So, they don’t want windmills- but they want big power plants that belch smoke and mist?
I can understand (not really) the complaint that birds have been harmed by the windmills (who complained when that was the only way farmers could get water?) and the like. But, today’s windmills are very different.
NIMBY is a powerful force. Too bad I can’t NIMBY a whole bunch of politicians….
(Reminds me of when I was involved with a local airport, designing and constructing a modern day transformation… The nearby homes complained about it to the county and courts. My defense… Your honor. These folks bought their homes in Airport Acres. Do you think they really believed that airplanes would not be using an airport????)
Hi Roy–interesting post, as always. I’m hoping that we’re going to see more & more of these sustainable energy companies popping up. I have people trying to get me involved in the North America Power (NAP) company. I’d love to get your opinion on that when you have some time to check it out!
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I am not sure that NAP is a good partner choice for you, Jenny. They have managed to tick off a few regulators with deceptive practices (MD, PA)….
We have the big wind turbine farms in the hills here in California (Tehachapi). Sure sounds like these batteries are very cool idea. And it would be nice to be able to use these batteries in our cars because I don’t want to pay $5 a gallon for gas!
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Most of the wind farms that seem to be almost everywhere in California are not connected to a storage unit. (I would say all but I don’t know all of them.) I also think their wind source could be more “regular” than that for this plant, in that it is present for hours (days?) on end…
The wind turbines are not the unusual part of this facility- the battery storage is the innovation.
Thanks for the amplification, Lynn…
It was very interesting to read about these facilities, Roy! I think Europe is even far more behind America when it comes to infrastructure, we have still a long way to go…I really don’t think that nuclear power plants are the solution. I am kind of an ideologist :).
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I think any sort of energy that can be available reliably and safely should be chosen. the issue with nuclear facilities is not really the production of energy- but the waste disposal…
Even in small town Lewes, DE, there is a wind turbine behind my brother’s house. I love to watch it and can actually hear the “battery” noise when it is calm outside.
It’s the property of the University of Delaware and is located at the college of earth, ocean and environment for wind research. For the most part, it has become part of the town now and I think it is a great alternative.
I love to watch it from the back yard of my brother’s house.
Great post Roy.
Cindy
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Maybe you just never outgrew the childhood fascination with fan following :-)… (Come on, you know that little kids love to stare at ceiling fans for hours. My fascination is with trains…)
Thanks for the visit and the information that Lewes has a turbine system, too, Cindy.
Alternatives and options are so important…and investing in the brainpower of visionaries who will generate new ideas and take us into the next generation of energy creation (vs. energy depletion). As always, informative, interesting and important!
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What makes this unique is not the wind turbine (there are tons of them) or that storage of energy is employed (likewise, often used), but the method of employment with little batteries and specifically designed to optimize profits from the grid system that obtains.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Tambre.
These batteries are very good idea for storage of wind power, when there is no wind. We can also use these batteries in the cars, and that is the best use for me of these batteries.
I am not sure that autos are the best use for batteries. There is a weight/charge problem- unless we really will all have two vehicles; one for commuting to and from work (25 miles max) and the other for longer trips. If we used our petroleum for vehicles and sun/wind/bio for stationary power sources, we could husband our resources more effectively.
Roy