What geology favours compressed air energy storage?

Thick beds of rock salt are ideal, because caverns can be dissolved out and salt seals tightly. Salt beds suitable for caverns lie beneath parts of County Antrim and Cheshire.

Why is storage most beneficial close to large wind farms or where the grid is congested?

Surplus power that cannot be carried away can charge storage locally instead of being curtailed. The store releases the energy when the lines have spare capacity.

Why is energy storage especially valuable on islands and in isolated grids?

Small isolated grids cannot import power from neighbours when renewable output falls. Storage lets islands use more wind and solar power and burn less imported diesel.

Why is energy storage particularly valuable on the island of Ireland?

The all-island grid has a high share of wind power and limited interconnection with Great Britain and Europe. Storage helps absorb surplus wind and keep the grid stable.

CCEA A-Level Environmental Technology 3930

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Energy Storage

Where energy storage is most beneficial

3 things to know
AS 1

Overview

The sites pumped hydro and compressed air need, storage near wind farms and congested grids, islands and the island of Ireland, batteries at substations, cost-effectiveness, and where Northern Ireland might locate new storage.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Discuss where Northern Ireland might best locate new large-scale energy storage.

Key term

What physical features does a site need for pumped hydro storage?

Key term

Why are steep upland areas favoured for pumped hydro?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What physical features does a site need for pumped hydro storage?
Model answer
A pumped hydro site needs two reservoirs close together with a large height difference between them. A reliable water supply and stable rock are also essential.
2
Why are steep upland areas favoured for pumped hydro?
Model answer
Steep terrain gives a large height difference over a short distance, so less water and shorter tunnels are needed. Dinorwig was built inside a mountain beside a former slate quarry in Snowdonia.
3
What geology favours compressed air energy storage?
Model answer
Thick beds of rock salt are ideal, because caverns can be dissolved out and salt seals tightly. Salt beds suitable for caverns lie beneath parts of County Antrim and Cheshire.
4
Why is storage most beneficial close to large wind farms or where the grid is congested?
Model answer
Surplus power that cannot be carried away can charge storage locally instead of being curtailed. The store releases the energy when the lines have spare capacity.
5
Why is energy storage especially valuable on islands and in isolated grids?
Model answer
Small isolated grids cannot import power from neighbours when renewable output falls. Storage lets islands use more wind and solar power and burn less imported diesel.
6
Why is energy storage particularly valuable on the island of Ireland?
Model answer
The all-island grid has a high share of wind power and limited interconnection with Great Britain and Europe. Storage helps absorb surplus wind and keep the grid stable.

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Fossil Fuels

Global Action on Energy Conservation and Climate Change

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