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Chile has the potential to run exclusively on renewable generation, with an estimated energy mix of 46% solar, 31% wind, 12% hydroelectric, and 8% flexible natural gas power plants, as well as 23% of battery storage capacity. The remaining 2% is split between biomass, geothermal, and other less common energy sources.
Currently, 36 of the 129 large-scale projects Latin America projects with an energy storage component under development are in Chile, including 32 out of 71 of the region’s early works projects. The storage technologies either in use or being considered include:
According to data from Acera, the Chilean Renewable Energy Association, there are only 64MW of battery storage capacity currently active, representing 0.2% of national capacity. AES Andes, a subsidiary of U.S. company AES Corp. operates all 64MW at their Angamos and Los Andes substations.
Chile’s goal to achieve 80% renewable grid by 2030 and a 100% zero emissions grid by 2050, will require an estimated 2,000 MW of energy storage every 10 years.
Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is one of the many energy storage options that can store electric energy in the form of potential energy (compressed air) and can be deployed near central power plants or distribution centers. In response to demand, the stored energy can be discharged by expanding the stored air with a turboexpander generator.
In times of excess electricity on the grid (for instance due to the high power delivery at times when demand is low), a compressed air energy storage plant can compress air and store the compressed air in a cavern underground. At times when demand is high, the stored air can be released and the energy can be recuperated.
For example, the state of Kansas has facilitated these processes with their Compressed Air Energy Storage Act , effective since 2009. A study that reports on promising locations, permitting processes and challenges, and mitigating solutions would help developers navigate these issues during the planning phase.
A study numerically simulated an adiabatic compressed air energy storage system using packed bed thermal energy storage. The efficiency of the simulated system under continuous operation was calculated to be between 70.5% and 71%.
Energy storage systems, like large-scale batteries, are charged by electricity drawn from the power grid during periods of low demand or extra capacity, provided they are not directly connected to their own dedicated energy source. That electricity is stored and held until it’s needed, such as during peak usage times, grid disturbances, or outages.
Battery storage power stations are usually composed of batteries, power conversion systems (inverters), control systems and monitoring equipment. There are a variety of battery types used, including lithium-ion, lead-acid, flow cell batteries, and others, depending on factors such as energy density, cycle life, and cost.
Electrical Energy Storage (EES) systems store electricity and convert it back to electrical energy when needed. 1 Batteries are one of the most common forms of electrical energy storage.
In addition to these core functions, functions such as anti-backflow protection, support for parallel/off-grid operation, and islanding protection further enhance the reliability and versatility of energy storage power stations.
