Lava energy storage technology

Can a large-scale battery storage project use volcanic rock?

A variety of battery deployments, for storage and production, have been introduced but large-scale storage projects remain few outside of traditional hydroelectric pumped storage. That could change if a large-scale pilot project using volcanic rock as a medium proves effective.

Why is energy storage important?

Energy storage is a potential substitute for, or complement to, almost every aspect of a power system, including generation, transmission, and demand flexibility. Storage should be co-optimized with clean generation, transmission systems, and strategies to reward consumers for making their electricity use more flexible.

Can stored heat be used to power a power plant?

Stored heat can be added to existing cycles. Finally, it can offer a second life for power plants. The system would replace generation, drawing electricity from the local grid or renewable sources, while using the existing steam cycle and operation processes.

What is the future of energy storage?

Storage enables electricity systems to remain in balance despite variations in wind and solar availability, allowing for cost-effective deep decarbonization while maintaining reliability. The Future of Energy Storage report is an essential analysis of this key component in decarbonizing our energy infrastructure and combating climate change.

How can battery storage help reduce energy costs?

Simultaneously, policies designed to build market growth and innovation in battery storage may complement cost reductions across a suite of clean energy technologies. Further integration of R&D and deployment of new storage technologies paves a clear route toward cost-effective low-carbon electricity.

Can a new storage medium be used to power fossil-fuel-fired power plants?

They also believe the technology can easily be fitted to existing fossil-fuel-fired generation plants that are closing, using existing equipment to produce electricity from the new storage medium, and send to the grid. The project uses 1,000 tonnes of volcanic rock as the storage medium.