Outdoor energy storage system MGTES

As renewables are gaining ground in the energy system, the development of efficient energy storage systems is imperative for balancing intermittent renewables. Energy storage is the key to unlocking renewable power’s full potential: it not only helps to balance out the variability in generation but also reduces the need to feed excess electricity back into the grid. Magaldi developed the Magaldi Green Thermal Energy Storage (MGTES) system to produce green thermal energy – steam or hot air – which can be used directly in industrial plants or for generating electricity by using steam turbines. This system, whose expected useful life is 30+ years, has all credentials to play a crucial role in the global decarbonization process. Designed for both short (<4 hours) and long duration (4+ hours up to days and weeks) large-scale energy storage applications, the system consists of insulated modules that contain silica sand, heated to temperatures above 600°C. The MGTES system is operated in three steps: Charging. Surplus energy from renewable sources is used to charge the system. An array of electrical resistors (in case of electrical energy), or an integrated heat exchanger (in case of thermal energy), is immersed in a fluidizable bed of sand. The fluidization of sand particles dramatically increases the heat exchange coefficient and the response time of the whole system. Storing. The fluidization is switched off and the sand packs at the bottom of the module. The absence of convection and the insulation of the tank limit the heat exchange with outside, thus minimizing energy losses.