Peripherals/Energy Storage

In an environment where grid power may only be available for a few hours a day, or where energy generation is available but either generation or usage isn't constant an energy storage system is required.

A desirable storage technology would allow easy top-up and extraction of electricity. The input to the storage system wouldn’t necessarily need to be electrical but it would be preferable not to require a distribution system to be implemented.

For example, zinc-air fuel cells offer some interesting advantages over standard batteries, but require a zinc distribution system to be setup in conjunction with the technology.

Below is a list of technologies which offer possible solutions;

• Car Batteries
• Deep Cycle Batteries
• Compressed Air
• Supercapacitors / Ultracapacitors
• Nanoengineered Battery
• Flywheel Storage

Advantages and Disadvantages

Storage Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Car Batteries	Text	Inefficiencies in getting energy into and back out of the battery (You lose half the energy [1])
Deep Cycle Batteries	Text	Text
Compressed Air	Text	Text
Super/Ultracapacitors	Ability to release quick jolts of electricity and to absorb this energy just as fast	Less energy storage capacity per Kg compaired to Batteries (25 times less [2])
Technology	Text	Text

Links

• Methods of Storing Energy
• Alternative Energy Companies
• A Company developing an ultracapacitor power system to replace the electrochemical battery