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.


Artist’s impression of a 10000 MWhs
underground storage tank

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.

NEWS

  • SABELLA is to take part in ICOE 2010 in Bilbao (Spain) in October 2010.
  • "Sabella D03" is temporarily on show at the ADEME Innovation Forum at the Cité des Sciences, Vilette - Paris on 23 June 2010.
  • SABELLA ENERGIE INC. was created in January 2010 in Canada to implement the development of tidal turbine technologies on the American continents.
  • SABELLA SAS responded to the AMI tender launched by ADEME to construct its demonstrator "D10". Response due in June 2010.

REFERENCES

  • SABELLA SAS received the award “Durable – ACTINE STRATEGIES” at INNOVACT 2009 in Reims.
140 bd. de Creac'h Gwenn - 29000 Quimper