Knowledge exchange within the framework of the International Energy Agency’s programmes is a key driver of technology development in the field of energy storage systems. AEE INTEC represents Austria in the IEA Energy Storage TCP. What are the objectives and the most important research questions being addressed here?
Energy storage systems constitute a key technology in the transformation of our energy system. Although there has been international momentum in the development of energy storage technology in recent years, there is a need for a significant increase in research activities. And this applies not only to a single storage technology within one energy sector, but across multiple technologies and sectors.
Within the Energy Storage TCP, together with our 21 member countries, we aim to initiate the storage developments necessary for the transformation (including electrical, thermal and chemical energy storage as well as system integration), accelerate market introduction through knowledge transfer and collaborate closely with other TCPs. Since exchange with other technology programmes is especially important for a cross-cutting technology like energy storage, our TCP also leads the “Coordination Group on Energy System Flexibility”, which currently involves 14 TCPs.
Which heat storage technologies and applications are considered particularly promising?
Most thermal storage applications currently rely on water as the storage medium within a temperature range of 0 to 100 °C, typically using standardised tank storage systems. In numerous application areas, however, this established storage technology is insufficient, making new developments necessary. In the local and district heating sectors, for example, research is currently focused on heat storage technologies capable of holding hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of water, including underground tank storage, aquifers and caverns. Many industrial processes require thermal storage at elevated temperatures (up to 1,000 °C), making this an important area of current research. The storage technologies being developed are also highly relevant for “Carnot batteries” in “power-to-heat-to-power” processes, where heat storage is favoured for its cost advantages. Compact heat accumulators, such as thermochemical materials (TCM) and phase change materials (PCM), offer higher volumetric energy densities or lower weight compared to water, for example, and are needed for applications in buildings, industry and vehicles. Thermally activated building components and cold storage systems also possess strong potential for widespread application and scalability.
In which areas does Austria possess specialised expertise and, therefore, the potential to become an international leader?
Two areas in which Austrian research institutions and companies have developed outstanding expertise in recent years and have also taken on international leadership are:
> the development of large-scale heat storage systems for use in local and district heating networks (including materials research and the development of components and storage system designs);
> the development of high-temperature storage systems as well as compact heat accumulators (materials research, development of reactor technologies, and system integration).
Supporting both cases is the fact that Austrian companies traditionally possess extensive expertise in plant engineering and the construction of complex, large-scale infrastructure.
How do Austrian stakeholders benefit from international exchange?
For a relatively small country like Austria, international research collaborations are particularly important. They not only offer a platform to showcase Austrian expertise globally, but also keep Austrian stakeholders promptly informed about the latest international developments. Moreover, they enable the cultivation of a strong network of international research and industry partners. Complex research questions can be addressed much more rapidly through collaboration, typically leading to significantly better results. Beyond the broader economic advantages, this holds great importance especially for Austrian companies.