Characterization of energy storage for transportation. Final report
This report describes the characteristics of several energy storage technologies for possible use in off-board transportation applications. These technologies include batteries (lead acid, nickel cadmium and several advanced batteries), fuel cell/hydrogen storage, compressed air energy storage (CAES), superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES), capacitors and flywheels. Many transportation systems are electrically powered. Urban mass transit with commuter riderships typically has relatively short periods of very large electrical loads. Electric utilities must size their equipment to meet these peak loads. Both the utility and its customer may benefit if such peaks were reduced, while still maintaining the desired level of service for the transportation system customers. Energy storage systems can reduce peaks by discharging energy stored from off-peak charging. Transit systems also exhibit very short spikes in power demand (seconds to minutes) as a result of coincident starting and acceleration of several vehicles, or regenerative braking. Rapid response energy storage systems can smooth such surges by delivering or absorbing energy as needed. Depending on location, utility system and other factors, wayside energy storage may be less expensive than a traction substation. Energy storage also may facilitate use of alternative forms of power, such as solar or wind power, where the time of generation is not generally controllable and may not match the load. Storage can allow accumulation of such renewable energy to supply to power to transit systems, electric vehicles and other transportation loads.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Bechtel Group, Inc., San Francisco, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 34385
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR--104559
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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