Titoloapresentazione

Energy Storage: means to an end

sottotitolo
Milano, XX mese 20XX
Maurizio Delfanti, Marco Merlo, Davide Falabretti, Claudio Brivio
Energy Department
Electric Power Systems research group
Politecnico di Milano
OUTLINE

1) A flash trip at the «very beginning»

2) Short introduction to Storage Technologies
3) Regulation services and storage performances
4) BESS: Key factors for a proper design
5) Storage role in a microgrid
6) Introduction to IoT lab in POLIMI
OUTLINE

1) A flash trip at the «very beginning»

2) Short introduction to Storage Technologies
3) Regulation services and storage performances
4) BESS: Key factors for a proper design
5) Storage role in a microgrid
6) Introduction to IoT lab in POLIMI
… at the very beginning

Actually, in 1883, in Milan we deployed a Microgrid (350 kWp)

After a couple of 

years a Storage 
System was
The power plant
integrated in the 
was
power plant
decommissioned
in 1926 … BUT … 
the storage
station kept
operating
OUTLINE

1) A flash trip at the «very beginning»

2) Short introduction to Storage Technologies
3) Regulation services and storage performances
4) BESS: Key factors for a proper design
5) Storage role in a microgrid
6) Introduction to IoT lab in POLIMI
Technologies

Flooded

Lead-based AGM
Valve-regulated
GEL
Lithium-ion

Lithium-polymer
Lithium-based
Lithium-air

BESS Lithium-Solphur

Nickel-Metal-Hydride

Nickel-based Nickel-Cadmium

Nickel-Zinck

Sodium-Solphur
Sodium-based
Sodium-Nickel
Technologies

Fundamental chemical
processes:
– transport of electrons through
the electronic conductors;
– transfer of ions at the
electrode–electrolyte interfaces;
– Flow/diffusion of charged atoms
or atom agglomerates via
defects in the electrolyte.
MAIN COMPONENTS
 Anode
 Cathode Reduction reaction – Cathode ↔
 Electrolyte (Medium for transfer of anions) Oxidation reaction – Anode ↔
 Separators (Electrical insulation) Globally ↔
 Technologies: literature figure

Lead-
Lithium-based Sodium-based Nickel-based
BESS based
Li-ion Polymer NaS ZEBRA Ni-Cd Ni-Zn NiMH
Cell Voltage
2 3.7 3.7 2 2.58 1.2 1.65 1.2
[V]
Energy density
30-50 80-200 100-150 150-240 100-130 25-80 60-100 60-120
[Wh/kg]
Power density
10-150 200-800 50-250 150-230 170-240 60-150 > 1000 150-250
[W/kg]
Cycles
500-1500 1000-5000 1000-3000 2500 1000-3000 1000 200-800 300-500
[#]
Overcharge
High Low Low - Moderate Moderate - Low
Tolerance
Efficiency
85-90 90-100 90-100 75-92 high 60-83 80 65-70
[%]
Self-discharge
5 little little X%/day 10%/day 20 25 30
[%/month]
Working
temperature -20 / +50 -20 / +60 -20 / +50 +290 / 360 +270 / +350 -20 / +65 -20 / +50 -20 / +65
[°C]
In use since Late 1800s 1990 1996 1960 1970 1950 1900 1990
Technologies

BESS

Cell Voltage The higher the 

[V]
voltage the 
Energy density
[Wh/kg] more energy is
Power density available
[W/kg]
Cycles
[#]
Charge time
[h]
Overcharge
Tolerance
Efficiency
[%]
Self-discharge
[%/month]
Working
temperature
[°C]
In use since
Technologies

BESS

Cell Voltage
[V] Maximum Power we can inject/withdraw to/from the battery
Energy density
[Wh/kg]
Power density
[W/kg]
Cycles
[#]
Charge time
[h]
Overcharge
Tolerance
Efficiency
[%]
Self-discharge
[%/month]
Working
temperature
[°C]
In use since
Technologies

State of Charge SOC: amount of energy stored

BESS
in the battery w.r.t the nominal capacity [%]
Cell Voltage
[V]
Energy density
[Wh/kg]
Power density
[W/kg]
Cycles
[#]
Charge time
[h]
Overcharge
Tolerance
Efficiency
[%]
Self-discharge
[%/month]
Working
temperature
[°C]
In use since
Deep of Discharge DoD: is the complement of SOC
Technologies

BESS
SOC: amount of energy stored in the battery w.r.t
Cell Voltage the nominal capacity [%]
[V]
e.g. 20%
Energy density
[Wh/kg]
Power density
[W/kg]
Cycles
[#]
Charge time
[h]
Overcharge
Tolerance
Efficiency
[%]
Self-discharge
[%/month]
Working
temperature
[°C]
In use since The DOD is the complement of SOC
e.g.80%
Technologies

BESS Generally speaking Calendar life and Cycle Life (max cycles for the
Cell Voltage
battery) is affected by many factors:
[V]
Energy density
[Wh/kg] • Temperature
Power density • Max/Min DoD
[W/kg]
Cycles
• Time
[#] • Humidity
Charge time • Dust
[h]
Overcharge
Tolerance
Efficiency
[%]
Self-discharge Focusing on the charging/dischargin processes in a BESS it is common
[%/month] to use the C‐RATE
Working |
temperature
[°C]
In use since
… C‐RATE strongly affects the ageing effects in a battery
Technologies

BESS

Cell Voltage
[V]
Energy density
[Wh/kg]
Power density
[W/kg]
Cycles
[#]
Charge time
[h]
Overcharge
Tolerance … but efficiency is 
Efficiency also strongly related 
[%] to «power bounds» 
Self-discharge expecially in the 
[%/month]
charging phase
Working
temperature
[°C]
In use since
Technologies

BESS Self discharge could be «direct» or «not direct», the latter is

particularly complex to be evaluated:
Cell Voltage
[V]
Energy density • Litium batteries, usually, need a cooling
[Wh/kg] • Lead acid batteries suffer for self discharge
Power density • External conditions directly impact on auxiliary consumptions
[W/kg]
• Sodium sulfur batteries has to work at high temperature
Cycles
[#]
Charge time
[h]
Overcharge
Tolerance
Efficiency
[%]
Self-discharge
[%/month]
Working
temperature
[°C]
In use since
OUTLINE

1) A flash trip at the «very beginning»

2) Short introduction to Storage Technologies
3) Regulation services and storage performances
4) BESS: Key factors for a proper design
5) Storage role in a microgrid
6) Introduction to IoT lab in POLIMI
Services & Performances
Services & Performances

Source: www.Siemens.com
 Services & Performances

Description Selected relevant technologies Selected conventional alternatives

Transmission Large-scale energy storage system  Lead-acid  Transmission line upgrade
system to improve transmission grid  Sodium-based  Gas turbine
performance and assist in the  Flow battery
integration of large-scale renewable  Lithium-based
generation  Zinc
 Pumped Hydro
 CAES
Peaker Large-scale energy storage system  Lead-acid  Gas turbine
replacement designed to replace peaking gas  Sodium-based  Diesel reciprocating engine
turbine facilities  Zinc
 Lithium-based
 Flow battery
Frequency Energy storage system designed to  Flywheel  Gas turbine
regulation balance power to maintain frequency  Lithium-based
within a specified tolerance bound
(i.e. ancillary service)
Distribution Energy storage system placed at  Lead-acid  Distribution system upgrade
services substations to provide flexible  Sodium-based  Gas turbine
peaking capacity and mitigate  Zinc
stability problems  Lithium-based
 Flow battery
PV integration Energy storage system designed to  Lead-acid  Gas turbine
reduce potential integration  Sodium-based  Diesel reciprocating engine
challenges or improve the value of  Zinc  Alteration of solar production profile
solar generation  Lithium-based
 Flow battery
Application Status

Source: CNESA (2016) Energy storage industry research white paper. www.cnesa.org
 Technologies: Focus on Lithium
ANODE MATERIAL
Graphite Hard Carbon Lithium Titanate
+ safety + safety + safety
+ Life + Life + Life
+ Flat characteristic V-SOC + Low temperature performance + No cooling required
+ Higher power compared to graphite + Highest power
LiFePO4 + Low temperature performance

– Low cell voltage – Low cell voltage – Low cell voltage

– Energy density
+ Highest cell voltage
+ Energy density
CATHODE MATERIAL
– Energy density – Energy density
– Steep characteristic V-SOC – Cost
– Cost
+ Low temperature performance + Low temperature performance
+ Higher power compared to graphite + Life

Nickel + Very high performance

Manganese – Safety – Steep characteristic V-SOC – Low cell voltage
Cobalt – Low temperature performance – Safety – Cost
– Cost – Energy density
– Energy density
+ Highest cell voltage + Higher power compared to graphite + Safety
‘Lithiated’
+ Energy density + Low temperature performance + Low temperature performance
Metal-oxide + Life
LiCoO2 + Very high power
LiNiO2 – Low temperature performance – Steep characteristic V-SOC – Low cell voltage
LiMn2O2 – Cost – Cost
– Energy density
+ Cost + Low temperature performance + Low temperature performance
+ High cell voltage + Safety + Limited cooling required
Stoichiometric + Safety + Higher power compared to graphite + Very high power
spinel LiMn2O4 – Life – Steep characteristic V-SOC – Low cell voltage
– Life – Energy density
– Energy density
Services & Performances

Lab examples
Services & Performances

Load Leveling

It is the utilization of the

stored energy at peak
periods, thereby reducing
the requirements of
peaking generators.
 Services & Performances

Loads: Energy appliances in flats Efficent Building in Malmo

Generation: 1,5 kW microwind+ 940 Wp PV (EON Project)

Target: Design an ESS

Load Kitchen appliances
4
Power demand within a 15min time unit [kW]

3,5 Washing Appliances

3 Household appliances
2,5
Fridge and Freezer
2
Heating system and
1,5
temperature regulation
1 Consumer Electronics

0,5
Lighting
0
0:00
0:45
1:30
2:15
3:00
3:45
4:30
5:15
6:00
6:45
7:30
8:15
9:00
9:45
10:30
11:15
12:00
12:45
13:30
14:15
15:00
15:45
16:30
17:15
18:00
18:45
19:30
20:15
21:00
21:45
22:30
23:15
24:00
Sensors and Actuators

Hours of the day [hh:mm]

Generation
Power produced within a 15min 

600
500 Wind turbine
time unit [W]

400
300 Solar panels

200
100
0
0:00
0:45
1:30
2:15
3:00
3:45
4:30
5:15
6:00
6:45
7:30
8:15
9:00
9:45
10:30
11:15
12:00
12:45
13:30
14:15
15:00
15:45
16:30
17:15
18:00
18:45
19:30
20:15
21:00
21:45
22:30
23:15
24:00

Hours of the day [hh:mm]
Services & Performances
Threshold 200W Threshold 250W Threshold 350W Current Scenario
Active Power exchanged between apartment and grid every 15 minutes. P>0 if power flows from grid to apartment.
Battery: Energy 1kWh; Nominal Power 1kW.
27/10 28/10 29/10
4

3.5

2.5
Active Power [kW]

1.5

0.5

-0.5
00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 00:00 06:00
Hour of the day [hh:mm]
Services & Performances

Spinning Reserve

Storage systems could

reduce the requirement
for idling generators in
power systems. Such
generators are dedicated
to ‘take over’ of any
sudden failure of a major
generator, but ESSs
could defer the option of
operating them
Services & Performances

Primary frequency-voltage regulation

This involves the

provision of
frequency stability
support for power
networks through
the charge/discharge
characteristics of ESSs,
thereby regulating the
voltage and frequency
Services & Performances

A lab example

PReSto prototype
Services & Performances

Deadband [mHz] Droop [%] Nch Ndis

20 2 5.645 5.549
10 2 7.484 7.132
40 2 2.818 3.056
20 1 6.711 6.530
20 4 3.995 3.873
Services & Performances

… at the same time ESS

can regulate the voltage
at the Point of Common
couple
Services & Performances

Renewable Integration

Storage systems could

minimize the effect of
intermittency of
renewable energy
resources and
increase their penetration
in power grids, thus,
allowing renewable
generation to be
dispatched
 Services & Performances
4
x 10
6
Ppcc
Ppv
5
Pbess
Prif ESS is adopted to keep
4
the PV production close
to the day ahead forecast
P otenz a [W ]

-1
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Tempo [h]
OUTLINE

1) A flash trip at the «very beginning»

2) Short introduction to Storage Technologies
3) Regulation services and storage performances
4) BESS: Key factors for a proper design
5) Storage role in a microgrid
6) Introduction to IoT lab in POLIMI
What is needed to correctly size a
battery energy storage system?

Regulation  Type of  Energy 

framework application performances

Sizing
Lifetime of  Efficiencies
performances
BESS

Power 
Economics performances
CAPEX/OPEX
Main open questions

1. How much differences in performances are present

among different cell’s chemistries?
2. Are manufacturers’ datasheets reliable?
3. Are current testing standards/procedures providing
real cells’ performances?
4. How does cells behave when subjected to a current
profile that is not constant?
5. Which is the real efficiency in operation?
6. How to determine the battery SoC and SoH?
7. What does it mean cycle of life?
8. Which is the expected lifetime per effect of temperature
and current profile
Performance tests

Our project to answer the questions

Collaboration
POLIMI-CSEM

BFH-CSEM Energy
Storage Research
Center

All the studies have been performed on electrochemical cells.

Objectives:
1. Performances evaluation (energy, power, efficiency)
2. Testing of real application (frequency reg., ramp-rate control…)
3. Dynamic response modeling
Cell tested

CELL Technology
Capacity Voltage
[mAh] Range
(Voltage limits, Maximum C-rates)
LiFePO4
2500 2 - 3.6
Cylindric
LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC)
5300 2.75 - 4.2
Cylindrical
TESTING
LIC
PROCEDURE Prismatic
1158 2.2 - 3.8

(IEC, current/power profile, Temp) LiFePO4

20000 2 - 3.6
Pouch
LTO
30000 1.85 - 2.75
Prismatic

Cell tester RUNNING OF TEST LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC)

10000 4.2 - 2.75
Pouch
@40 (PEC© ACT battery tester)
channels

MEASUREMENTS
(Voltage, Current, Resistance)

Climatic Results
chamber (Capacity, Energy, Efficiency)
Performance tests

Standard IEC-62660-1 – example: capacity test

Performance tests

Results: energy density

IEC 62660-1
«classic» lithium
performs around
100‐200 Wh/kg

New 
‐50% at low  Technologies!
temperature
Performance tests

Results: energy VS power

Energy‐driven
Power‐driven
Application
Application
Ex: Peak‐Shaving
Ex: Freq. Reg.
Performance tests

Results: efficiency test

IEC 62660-1

«classic» lithium
performs around
90‐95% round‐trip

‐10‐15% at low 
temperature
Performance tests

Results: efficiency @ C-rates

Huge decrease of round‐trip 

efficiency when increasing
the current rate.
UP TO 20%!
Performance tests

Results: efficiency @ SOCs

95% of literature

Working at low SOC can 

decrease the round‐trip 
efficiency of 10%
Application

BESS for frequency regulation

• Maximum deliverable power (C-rate_max)

TESTS • Range of admissible SOC
• Ambient temperature
Application

Results

Efficiency
TEST Cycles Availability
measured
C-rate C-rate SOC SOC
@ 25°C @ 0°C @ 25°C @ 25°C
MAX AVERAGE MIN MAX
0.5C 0.13 0% 100% 97.92% - 1.29*En 100.00%
1C 0.26 0% 100% 96.15% 93.01% 2.58*En 100.00%
1C 0.23 20% 80% 96.16% 95.74% 2.32*En 92.14%
2C 0.47 0% 100% 91.24% 86,19% 4.55*En 92.01%
2C 0.36 20% 80% 94.86% 93.12% 3.58*En 80.10%
3C 0.62 0% 100% 88.00% - 6.04*En 86.29%
3C 0.46 20% 80% 93.38% - 4.66*En 76.84%

Important indications:
1. Limiting the currents +2-5 %
2. Avoiding SOCs limits: +1-5 %
3. Controlling temperature: +1-5 %

Possible gain on round-trip efficiency: +4-15 %

Conclusion

Sizing process of BESS should take into account that:

1. Different technologies have different performances
2. Different technologies are for different applications
3. Performances depend on the operating conditions
 Temperatures
 SOC
 Charging/discharging rate
OUTLINE

1) A flash trip at the «very beginning»

2) Short introduction to Storage Technologies
3) Regulation services and storage performances
4) BESS: Key factors for a proper design
5) Storage role in a microgrid
6) Introduction to IoT lab in POLIMI
Storage Role in a Microgrid

Ghana,
Gabon,
Equatorial
Guinea, and
Cabo Verde

South Sudan,
Central African
Republic, Chad
and Liberia IEA, World Energy Outlook 2014, OECD Publishing, 2014.

Having a solar panel that isn’t connected to the grid is

like having a computer that’s not connected to the
Internet.
Ellen Hayes, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Storage Role in a Microgrid
DC bus

Solar Controller
DC energy source aggregation
=
PROs:
PV array Simple architecture
=
Battery Charger
Easy* to control (stability)
Wind  ….
turbine = = CONs:
AC Load

Battery Charger Inverter
Limited Scalability
Diesel  Each source has to be converted in DC
generator =
Energy Storage could be very «stressed»

Battery pack
DC bus AC bus
Micro/Mini Grid
Solar Controller
PROs: Diesel
= generator
Scalability PV array
= or
Capable to adapt = Hydropower
to different configuration Battery Charger

…. Wind  Bi-directional
Inverter AC Load
CONs: turbine =
More complex to control
Energy Storage could be managed
Battery pack
more “efficiently”
Hybrid AC & DC aggregation
 Energy4Growing project: a real life study case

Studying, developing and implementing an off-grid power system to supply

electricity to the school of Ngarenanyuki, a rural village in Tanzania

Hybrid micro-grid combining already

available:
• run-off-river, hydropower plant
(Banki turbine, synchronous
generator, dump load)
• back-up petrol generator

New installations:
 PV panels
 lead-acid battery
 Interface Converter
 Energy4Growing project: a real life study case

MICROGRID architecture

AC side:
 Double busbars
 PLC
 Hydropower+dump
 Petrol generator
 Loads

DC side & inverter:

 PV
 Lead acid batteries
 Bidirectional grid forming
/ grid following inverter
Energy4Growing project: a real life study case
Energy4Growing project: a real life study case

BUT … sometimes, amid all the noise, important stories get overlooked

• Key role of «real life» applications

• Huge number of projects, but …

• Lack of a common
technical approach

• Lack of a common
divulgation platform

• Lack of a reliable
Business Model

www.facebook.com/energy4growing2014
OUTLINE

1) A flash trip at the «very beginning»

2) Short introduction to Storage Technologies
3) Regulation services and storage performances
4) BESS: Key factors for a proper design
5) Storage role in a microgrid
6) Introduction to IoT lab in POLIMI
 IoT Lab @POLIMI

4 PoliMI Departments involved:

• Energy: research on technological and control aspects relevant to energy
devices and electrical grids, with particular reference to Energy Storage Systems.
• Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering: market analyses, IoT
technologies/platforms and business models impact.
• Electronics, Information and Bioengineering: research and development of
novel IoT technologies and platforms.
• Design: Human-Machine Interface, User Experience & Interaction.
3 locations (complementary devices/infrastructures)
Programmable sensors, 
RFId equipment, 
IoT Lab  AntLab data monitoring 
sensors, IoT
platforms, WiFi probes, 
platforms, domestic  @Peschiera @Leonardo cellular IoT
appliances

Electrochemical energy 
storage, programmable 
Storage Lab  load, grid emulator,
@Bovisa electric measurement 
system
IoT Lab @POLIMI

Main Objective: provide a platform to emulate the energetic behavior of a Smart

Home, a Smart Building or a Microgrid.
Interface with the 
power system

Local load

Energy 
Storage 
System(s)

Local 
generation
 IoT Lab @POLIMI

Monitoring and control architecture

• Each load, generator or ESS under test is
monitored by a dedicated Power Meter
(max 22 kW / 3 lines).
• The ESS (and/or generator) control can be
performed by local logics (National Instruments
CRIO) or remote strategies (implemented on a
web server that collects and manages all data
acquired on the 3 sites of the Lab).

Resistive programmable load

The local load is emulated with a variable single-phase resistive
electrical load monitored in real-time, based on the
insertion/disconnection by contactors of 10 sets of resistors
(value ranging from 21.25  to 11.2 k;
max power about 5 kW with 5 W steps).
marco.merlo@polimi.it
Ph. +39 022399 3762