This topic emerged through a screening of emerging issues in science, technology and society in the context of the FET CSA OBSERVE.

http://www.horizon-observatory.eu/radar-en/index.php

The big picture

Research and innovation in energy storage is highly dynamic driven by the rise of decentralised and renewable energy solutions. Important aspects are energy conversion efficiency, speed of storage, cost effectiveness; use of materials with low environmental and social impact. The field includes several potentially disruptive developments that go beyond today’s lithium battery based solutions.

In the OBSERVE screening the following individual elements came up:

Organic flow batteriesResearch has shown the possibility of a new type of flow battery resting on organic molecules (quinones). This may revolutionize battery technology and form the missing piece of the renewable energy jigsaw.

Source: The Economist Technology Quarterly;

Emerging research front: Supercapacitors based on nanoporous carbon electrodesSupercapacitors are electricity storage systems with high power performances. Light-weight, low-cost supercapacitors with the capability of rapidly storing a large amount of electrical energy can contribute to meeting continuous energy demands and effectively levelling the cyclic nature of renewable energy sources. The excellent electrochemical performance of supercapacitors is due to a reversible ion adsorption in porous carbon electrodes. Studies strive to understand the molecular dynamics of such electrodes. Supercapacitors and other energy storing materials were also a prominent topic in the webmining.

Source: Thomson Reuters Research Fronts 2014;

Research front: Electrode materials for sodium-ion batteriesIn chemistry and material sciences interest has soared in electrode materials for batteries to enable new qualities such as longer life and cost effectiveness with Na-Ion based cathodes among the candidates.

Source: Thomson Reuters Research Fronts 2014;

Global Challenge: Energy demandGlobal challenge: How can a growing energy demand be met safely and efficiently? Renewable sources and innovative ways to produce energy are essential to reduce related CO2 emissions.

Source: State of the Future – The Millenium Project;

Reversible heat pump for energy storageA reversible heat pump promises a cheap way to store renewable energy on the grid. The pump consists of two silos filled with gravel connected with argon filled pipes.

Source: The Economist Technology Quarterly;

Decentralisation of energy supplyBig utility companies are finding that small, local solutions might be the future of energy. Through small investments in GSEP (Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership) projects, these high-voltage utilities are experimenting with generating energy from renewable feed stocks available locally, such as biogas, hybrid wind-diesel micro-grids, solar powered water pumps, mini hydro power.

Source: FastCoexist;

The work needed

Next to a speedy development of the best possible solutions for different purposes including potentially disruptive ones it seems crucial to include a system engineering perspective that takes into account diverse solutions for a more decentralised future energy system.