Energy Storage

Simplifying the coordination of vast numbers of Energy Storage (ES) Systems by clustering them dynamically into Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). The main technical challenge caused by massive penetration of different types of ES is the coordination of vast numbers of ES systems, bringing together various types and capacities of ES systems, individual customer behaviour, connections and disconnections of ES systems and potential power network changes.

Unlocking the benefits of large-scale energy storage systems requires advances in power electronics topologies for interfacing and supporting the electricity grid. Multilevel converters can provide optimised, reliable, modular and cost-effective solutions for large-scale multi-megawatt energy storage systems across a range of energy storage technologies.

Hybrid energy storage systems (ESS) combine individual advantages of different types of storage to realise a single ESS with both higher power and energy capabilities. Battery-supercapacitor based hybrid ESS help to reduce the battery power rating and extend battery life by minimizing the current variation.

Battery storage plays an important role in microgrids, improving grid reliability and resilience while facilitating effective operation of critical and frequency-sensitive loads. Battery storage is critical both for daily operation of a microgrid, as well as providing for grid redundancy in extreme events.

Leaders in research of renewable energy and energy storage for stand-alone, microgrids and grid connected systems, using state of the art simulations based on machine learning models. Analysing and understanding electricity demand, solar irradiance and weather variables leads to the development of accurate models to forecast electrical loads and photovoltaic power generation.

Battery storage provides significant advantages for integrating intermittent renewable energy systems into the electricity grid. Battery storage has the potential to become standard in new renewable energy installations, increasing their competitiveness and greater deployment of renewables.

An industrially scalable method has been developed for synthesising polymer nanoparticles decorated with graphene oxide sheets via miniemulsion polymerisation. This enables preparation of electrically-conductive films using a simple method at ambient temperature. The resulting nanocomposite films exhibit high electrical conductivity and have a wide range of potential applications as conductive coatings.

World-leading development of advanced control systems and maximising performance of energy storage system technologies including the vanadium redox flow (VRB) battery. The expertise extends across energy systems to maximise renewable energy power plant performance to improve electricity quality and demand and supply.

Massive penetration of energy storage systems presents new opportunities for power network operators and individual customers. Innovative cooperation of distributed energy storage systems can improve power quality while bringing additional capacity, flexibility and redundancy into power networks.