Improved accounting of emissions from utility energy storage system operation

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es0505898· OSTI ID:20700810

Denholm, Paul; Holloway, Tracey ^[1]

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1. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (United States)

Several proposed utility-scale energy storage systems in the U.S. will use the spare output capacity of existing electric power systems to create the equivalent of new load-following plants that can rapidly respond to fluctuations in electricity demand and increase the flexibility of baseload generators. New energy storage systems using additional generation from existing plants can directly compete with new traditional sources of load-following and peaking electricity, yet this application of energy storage is not required to meet many of the Clean Air Act standards required of new electricity generators (e.g., coal- or gas-fired power plants). This study evaluates the total emissions that will likely result from the operation of a new energy storage facility when coupled with an average existing U.S. coal-fired power plant and estimates that the emission rates of SO{sub 2} and NOx will be considerably higher than the rate of a new plant meeting Clean Air Act standards, even accounting for the efficiency benefits of energy storage. This study suggests that improved emissions 'accounting' might be necessary to provide accurate environmental comparisons between energy storage and more traditional sources of electricity generation. 35 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 20700810
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 39; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
ACCOUNTING
ACCURACY
CALCULATION METHODS
CARBON DIOXIDE
COAL
EMISSION
ENERGY STORAGE
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
HEAT RATE
NITROGEN OXIDES
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
PEAK LOAD
POWER GENERATION
SULFUR DIOXIDE
USA