Title: Electric energy storages - a method for specification, design and assessment

Authors: Hendrik Schaede; Anette Von Ahsen; Stephan Rinderknecht; Dirk Schiereck

Addresses: Technische Universitaet Darmstadt, Institute for Mechatronic Systems in Mechanical Engineering, Petersenstrasse 30, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany ' Technische Universitaet Darmstadt, Business Administration: Accounting and Auditing, Hochschulstr. 1, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany ' Technische Universitaet Darmstadt, Institute for Mechatronic Systems in Mechanical Engineering, Petersenstrasse 30, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany ' Technische Universitaet Darmstadt, Business Administration: Corporate Finance, Hochschulstr. 1, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany

Abstract: The energy transition towards a significantly increased use of renewable energies is confronted with numerous challenges. These include the development of efficient energy storage systems, which need to address the specific requirements of the application area. The present paper contributes to this debate with the specification, design and assessment-method (SDA-method). Based on a statistical analysis of the applications load profile, the specifications for the energy storage system are defined and the design process is conducted. This is demonstrated using the example of a kinetic energy storage system. The following assessment considers the energetic behaviour, life cycle costs as well as environmental impacts. In order to fully exploit the comprehensive methodology, in-depth information is required. This relates firstly to the economical use of storages. Secondly, the multidimensional assessment is subject to many uncertainties. Our methodology reveals existing information gaps and helps to identify future research objectives.

Keywords: specification; design; assessment; SDA method; development methodology; energy storage systems; kinetic energy storage; renewable energy; energy turnaround; energy losses; life cycle costs; life cycle assessment; LCA; multidimensional assessment; environmental impact; uncertainty; information gaps.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2013.053807

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2013 Vol.6 No.2, pp.142 - 163

Received: 01 Jun 2012
Accepted: 04 Nov 2012

Published online: 18 Jul 2014 *

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