Cost-effective Electro-Thermal Energy Storage to balance small scale renewable energy systems

To decarbonise the energy production system, share of renewable must increase. Particularly for small-scale stand-alone systems, storage has become essential in providing electricity when demand is high, example, during night. Although there are many different technologies, only a few suitable systems. Those systems be modular and scalable to deployed according capacity needed. Currently, batteries among leading grid but demand, particularly Lithium-ion batteries, also high because electrification needs transportation sector. Therefore, question material availability might an issue future, as Lithium scarce critical element. As alternative, we introduce new electro-thermal (ETES) technology that various needs. This unit can utilise thermal materials (thermal oil, molten salt, sand) at capacities improved efficiencies. Our design consists embedment Stirling engines electric heater into thermally insulated tank. The source first converted heat stored tank then back Among studied here, sand enabled system's efficiency reach 85% thanks its wide range operating temperatures. cost projected up six times lower than current batteries. provides promising cost-efficient, alternative