Project description
Hybrid systems for sustainable energy storage
Energy storage systems (ESS) are increasingly vital due to the rise of renewable energy sources. However, current ESS technology faces challenges related to fire safety, sustainability, and inflexible energy and power design. In this context, the EU-funded SMHYLES project will develop sustainable hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) by combining two low critical raw material storage technologies. The project will design, construct, deploy and demonstrate two types of HESS (aqueous-based and salt-based) and demonstrate storage capacity extension of an existing HESS. These will be used for various applications, including islanded grids, industrial microgrids, provision of grid services, and electric vehicle charging, across demonstration sites in Portugal and Germany. Additionally, the project will develop digital twins to enhance system monitoring and optimisation.
Objective
The dramatic effects of the climate crisis are calling for a change in the electrical grid paradigm. The market of Energy Storage Systems is now undertaking continuous growth, boosted by the relentless penetration of renewables. In this context, state of the art ESSs still have several limitations mainly due to technological constraints. Technology-dependent reaction times and rigid coupling between energy and power capacity, makes the choice of a specific ESS for different use cases very cumbersome and seldom optimal from both the technical and economic point of view. SMHYLES project proposes novel sustainable Hybrid Energy Storage Systems (HESSs) based on the combination of two low-CRM storage technologies, one with long duration capacity and one with very high-power density, providing ultra-fast ancillary services, managed in a combined control by smart EMSs. The projects comprehend the design, construction, deployment and demonstration of an Aqueous-based HESS (AHESS) and a Salt-based HESS (SHESS) as well as a storage duration expansion. Three demo sites in Portugal and Germany cover islanded grid, industrial microgrid, provision of grid services and EV charging use cases. Novel solutions for electrolyte recycling are also scaled up to industrially relevant size. The project will finalize techno-economic analyses to evaluate market segments for HESSs commercialization and deal with life cycle assessment along the whole design process. Digital twins are developed to support the optimal design of HESSs components and systems, define the strategies for HESSs real time management, investigate the business potential of SMHYLES solutions for specific use cases and countries, and support and test the energy management systems of the developed hybrid storage technologies. With high technological and economical advancements, SMHYLES will unlock novel flexible and multi-purpose energy storage solutions and ensure a remarkable impact on the European energy market.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power distribution
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhybrid energy
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
38122 Trento
Italy