ENEL - Storing Energy for the Future
 
Electricity storage will be essential in the development of renewable energy sources and for the realisation of cutting edge smart grid systems: that’s why Enel is investing its resources in cutting-edge research and the latest technology


The energy system of the future will need to be equipped storagesystems, due to a more widespread use of renewable sources in energy generation. Because production on wind farms and at solar power plants is intermittent and cannot be predicted, by storing the energy produced during peak production periods, it can be provided at times of increased demand.

In more general terms, storage will be also be key for the development of smart grids, efficient and flexible distribution networks in which consumers will play an increasingly active role. Regardless of the energy source being tapped, customers will be able to obtain energy as and when they require it, based their own needs and financial criteria.

The Enel Group is putting in serious investment and research into storage systems. Additionally, in Livorno in Italy it has set up a laboratory where the most promising storage technologies will be tested.

In many cases this research has already been put into operation, such as charging infrastructure for electric vehicles complete with alithium ion battery has been installed in Isernia in the Italian region of Molise. Other models are also being tested, including a ion lithium-iron-phosphate model in Malaga and another three on the Canary islands: a lithium ion battery in Gran Canaria, a flywheel energy storage battery in La Gomera and ultra-condensers in La Palma.

Enel is also a global leader in hydrogen power storage thanks also to its hydrogen power plant  in Fusina (Venice), the first facility of its kind in the world.

Hydrogen is not an energy source in the traditional sense; it must be produced and this consumes energy. But it is an excellent energy vector, and it could potentially be extremely useful for storage. It can be produced both from fossil and renewable energy sources when there is an electricity surplus, and it can also be used without creating polluting emissions or greenhouse gases. Research may still be ongoing, but results are not far away.
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