INGENIEUR
Figure 22 : Smart Grid technologies for enhancing network grid stability , flexibility & security
Thus , increasing variable Renewable Energy / solar PV penetration into Malaysia ’ s power system grid requires investments in network and system upgrades to ensure stability , flexibility and security of supply . This is as shown in Figure 22 which incorporates investments in automation of knowledge work Smart Grid technologies .
5 . Energy Storage
Energy storage systems convert electricity into a form that can be stored and converted back into electrical energy for later use , providing energy on demand . This enables utilities , for example , to generate extra electricity during times of low demand and use it to support capacity at times of high demand . Today , about three to four percent of the electricity that is produced by utilities worldwide is stored , almost all of it through a technique called pumped hydro-electric storage ( PHES ) which involves pumping water uphill during times of low demand and / or low cost and releasing it downstream to turn power-generating turbines during times of demand and high cost .
Battery energy storage systems [ BESS ] in their various forms constitute the most widely known energy storage technology that will impact future electricity grid infrastructure development and operation .
Lithium ion ( Li-ion ) batteries are widely used in consumer electronic devices such as laptop PCs , as well as in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles . According to Global lithium-ion battery market : Growth trends and application analysis , Malavika Tohani , Frost & Sullivan , Feb . 2013 [ Ref . 10 ], the Li-ion battery market is expected to double in the coming years to USD24 billion in global revenue , and significant performance and cost improvements are also expected in Li-ion batteries in the coming decade .
Prices for complete automotive Li-ion battery packs could fall from RM2000 – RM2400 per kWh today to about RM650 per kWh in 2025 , while lifecycle could increase significantly at the same time , potentially making plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles cost competitive with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles on a total cost of ownership basis .
For utility grid applications , the average cost of owning and operating Li-ion BESS could fall from about RM2000 per MWh [ RM2 per kWh ] to about RM400 per MWh [ 40sen per kWh ] by 2025 . This could make Li-ion BESS cost competitive for some electricity grid applications , such as for providing BESS-Solar PV hybrid distributed renewable energy , based on the LCOE , a standard measure of electricity costs . LCOE measures the cost of electricity generated by different sources using a present value payment stream of the total cost of
64 VOL 87 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2021