Energy Storage

The problem of renewable energies resides in their intermittence if connected to an isolated network. Marine tidal turbines must be able to handle periods of slack water and neap tides during which they will produce energy at a reduced rate, and may no longer respond to the network consumption demand. For such periods, the possibility of providing a hybrid system integrating a substitute energy source is a relevant solution.

SAIPEM, a partner of SABELLA SAS, is developing a new electricity storage technology, capable of storing vast quantities of energy.

Through this process, electricity is transformed into heat at high temperatures. The heat is carried by a hot gas and stored in tanks filled with porous, heat-resistant materials, such as gravel or refractory parts. The tanks are insulated to prevent heat loss.
Vast capacities can be stored, on any site.

Gravel-filled tanks are far less costly than sophisticated batteries and, moreover, they contain no hazardous substances.

Storage and removal are carried out using specific thermal machines currently under study. The output can border on 70%. More details on this process are provided in the attached document.

Drawing upon this basic principle, it is possible to develop different storage systems, with a lower performance but relatively easy to construct immediately. A study on a tidal turbine + storage system demonstrated, for instance, the possibility of providing a continual output of 1MW using a moderately sized storage tank.