Georgios Gravanis

The goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions necessitates the increase in RES utilization. To accomplish this goal, energy storage solutions are required. This study investigates the performance of an electrothermal energy storage system, the CEEGS, which consists of an above-surface energy storage system and a below-surface geological system. The focus is set initially on the analysis of the above-surface system to gain insight into its operation. Then, steady-state optimization is utilized to identify the operating conditions that maximize the system performance, before investigating the below-surface system integration and the effect that the geological conditions have on system performance. For the above-surface system, efficiency (η_R-T) up to 46.89% is calculated. For systems integrated with CO₂ geological storage, two case studies are examined, presenting higher η_R-T compared to the above-surface system (Case study 1: 50.37%, Case study 2: 67.39%). The optimal η_R-T for Case study 2 is achieved for higher injection/production pressures and temperatures conditions and minimal ΔP and ΔT between injection and production. In conclusion, it is the selection of the geological storage conditions that contribute the most to the optimal η_R-T; thus, the selection of the appropriate geological storage formation is imperative.

The goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions necessitates the increase of RES utilization. To accomplish this goal, energy storage solutions, are required. This study investigates the performance of an electrothermal energy storage system, the CEEGS system, which consists of an above surface energy storage system and a below surface geological system. The focus is set initially on the analysis of the above surface system to gain insight on its operation. Then steady-state optimization is utilized to identify the operating condition that maximize the system performance, before investigating the bellow surface system integration and the effect that the geological conditions have on system performance. For the above surface system, efficiency (ηR-T) up to 46.89 % is calculated. For system integrated with CO2 geological storage, two case studies are examined, presenting higher ηR-T compared to the above surface system (Case study 1-50.37 %, Case study 2-67.39 %). The optimal ηR-T for Case 2 is achieved for higher injection/production pressures and temperatures conditions and minimal ΔP and ΔT between injection and production. In conclusion, it is the selection of the geological storage conditions that contribute the most to the optimal ηR-T thus the selection of the appropriate geological storage formation is imperative.

Thermochemical energy storage systems from carbonates, mainly those based on calcium carbonate, have been gaining momentum in the last few years. However, despite the considerable interest in the process, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is still low. Therefore, facing the progressive development of the technology at different scales is essential to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment and a Failure Mode Effect and Analysis (FMEA) process to guarantee the safety and operation of the technology systems. In this study, the methodology was applied to a first-of-its-kind prototype, and it is a valuable tool for assessing safe design and operation and potential scaling up. The present work describes the methodology for carrying out these analyses to construct a kW-scale prototype of an energy storage system based on calcium carbonate. The main potential risks occur during the testing and operation stages (>50% of identified risks), being derived mainly from potential overheating in the reactors, failures in the control of the solar shape at the receiver, and potential failures of the control system. Through the assessment of Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs), it was identified that the issues requiring more attention are related to hot fluid path to avoid loss of heat transfer and potential damages (personal and on the facilities), mainly due to their probability to occur (>8 on a scale of 10). The results derived from the FMEA analysis show the need for specific control measures in reactors, especially in the calciner, with high operation temperatures (1000 °C) and potential effects of overheating and corrosion.