Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division Technical Seminar

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

3:00 p.m.

Y-Wing Auditorium

Building 205

Energy Storage Technologies

 – from Flywheels to Batteries

Presented by:  Daniel P. Abraham

Abstract

The development of energy storage technologies is vital to the economic health of nations. These technologies are needed because the demand for energy is seldom constant over time  excess energy available during periods of low demand can be used to charge an energy storage device, which can then supply the energy during periods of high demand. Portable energy storage devices, especially batteries, are important for consumer electronic applications, such as laptop computers, cell phones, and MP3 players. Batteries and supercapacitors are also critical enabling technologies for the development of fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and electric vehicles. Electricity storage technologies, such as pumped hydroelectric, flywheel and battery systems, are essential to improving the efficiency and reliability of electric utilities. These systems can be used to follow changing loads during peak period consumer demand, stabilize voltage & frequency, improve power quality, and store energy from renewable sources (wind, solar) that generate energy intermittently.

This discussion will provide an overview of energy storage technologies that run the gamut from large-scale pumped hydroelectric systems, medium-scale flywheel systems to relatively small-scale battery systems. Some of our current research on lithium-ion batteries, and research needs, will be highlighted in this presentation.