Electric Thermal Energy Storage

Electric Thermal Energy Storage

GWh scale & for different applications

Setting new standards in flexible energy storage
With renewables expanding, securing stable energy supply in volatile weather conditions remains a challenge. Siemens Gamesa presents a flexible, cost-competitive solution: Electric Thermal Energy Storage (ETES) can store surplus energy for when it’s needed most.
Contact Siemens Gamesa

Are you interested in this flexible electric thermal storage solution? Please contact our team for further information.

ETES@siemensgamesa.com
Download the ETES brochure
Nominal power
> 30 MW
Capacity
> 130 MWh
Experience since
2011
Technology
80% off-the-shelf
Key Facts
  • Solution for 100% renewable energy use, in response to a marked need
  • Cost-competitive and innovative
  • Environmental friendly, no hazardous materials are used
  • Charging, discharging and storage can be independently scaled
  • ETES is a flexibility solution for different industry applications, from renewables to conventional power plants
Recommend for

Large scale and flexible energy storage for energy-intensive industry, renewable energy assets, combined heat and power, and second-life option for conventional power plants.

ETES applications
ETES:Base make renewable assets into a steady energy supplier and increase revenue streams
ETES:Add make existing industrial plants more flexible and reduce emissions and service costs
ETES:Switch convert power plants into storage facilities and make stranded assets profitable

One for all

Flexible storage solution for a broad range of applications

The transition toward renewable energy brings new challenges. From grid stability to the need to become ever more energy efficient, to the abundance of conventional power plants: Siemens Gamesa has found an intelligent solution to the different challenges with ETES.

ETES draws electricity from the power grid and uses it to heat volcanic stones to temperatures of 600°C and higher. That heat can be converted back into electricity using a conventional steam turbine. The system is built on 80% off-the-shelf components and can function alone, be added to an existing heat cycle or convert a thermal power plant into a storage plant.

Why Energy Storage? Here's the whole story.

Functionality

Thermal energy storage: How does it work?
Thermal energy storage: How does it work?

Applications

Three storage applications for maximum flexibility
A cost-competitive, utility-scale energy storage solution
A GWh-scale stand-alone solution
A GWh-scale stand-alone solution

ETES:Base is able to store and supply electricity, process steam and heat independently of geographic conditions. Input and output power have a broad MW range, while storage capacity ranges from MW up to GW. The ideal choice for your renewable energy asset.
Upgrade of heat cycles for tapping new revenue streams
New flexibility for existing heat cycles
New flexibility for existing heat cycles

ETES:Add is attached to a fossil fuel power plant or an energy intensive industrial plant. It flexibilizes operation and broadens revenue base. Stored heat is added to existing cycles.

Convert fossil fuel power plants into renewable energy storage
A second life for power plants
A second life for power plants

Thermal fossil fuel power stations can now become CO2 free energy storage plants, combining existing equipment with new technology. This transformation minimizes the negative effects of plant closure with the furnace being replaced by ETES, while steam cycle and operation processes remain in place.

The road ahead

ETES brings economies of scale and the advantages of retrofitting

The cost of ETES will be significantly lower than other energy storage solutions. Even at the pilot stage, a commercial project at GWh scale would be highly competitive compared to other available storage technologies. Economies of scale will bring substantial reductions in capital expenditure, while increasing the storage rating.

  1. Models developed and validated since 2012
  2. The first test site with 5 MWh capacity was implemented in 2014
  3. Proof of system starts operation with 130 MWh capacity in 2019
  4. A pilot plant with an output of ~50 MW will follow
  5. Commercial rollout is planned with an output of several hundred MW

References

A flexible and reliable technology
The Future Energy Solution project puts ETES to the test

The concept of electric thermal energy storage has been extensively tested since 2014. First models developed and validated from 2012.

  • Technical specifications were set at 700 kW charging power and 5 MWh storage capacity
  • The project achieved 95% heat storage efficiency
  • Optimizing control algorithms resulted in a 10% increase in storage
  • This process has led to a considerable amount of property rights so far.

Download the infographic
Thermal storage application in Germany built in 2014
The Hamburg site shows the commercial opportunities for ETES
A real scale pilot demonstrates ETES effectiveness

The 24-hour thermal energy storage site is commissioned in 2019 Hamburg, Germany.

  • Over 1,000 tons of rock provide thermal storage capacity of 130 MWh of electric energy at rated charging temperatures of 750°C
  • The heat is re-converted into electricity through steam
  • A generator produces electricity of about 1.5 MW
  • Funded by the Federal Republic of Germany Funding authority: Federal German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy due to a decision of the German Bundestag
Read our press release

A global challenge

Green hydrogen
Green hydrogen

Driven by renewable energy, electrolyzers can produce hydrogen without any greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen produced in this way is often referred to as green hydrogen.

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