Fuente: News
Expuesto el: miércoles, 17 de julio de 2013 1:01
Autor: News
Asunto: University research to develop technologies which could transform electricity system
Posted on Wednesday 17th July 2013 The University of Birmingham has won a £6m grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to create a new Centre for Cryogenic Energy Storage. The 'liquid air' technology could revolutionise the storage of energy, reducing the costs of integrating intermittent generation into the electricity system and ensuring power is available when it is most needed. This funding is part of an investment of £85 million to support university research announced today (17 July 2013) by David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science. The new Centre, which will be housed on the University of Birmingham's campus, will be the UK's first dedicated research facility for energy storage using cryogenic liquids, comprising new laboratories, state of the art equipment, and a major demonstration plant. Cryogenic energy storage systems use off-peak electricity to liquefy air. The cryogenic liquid that is formed is stored in a vessel then vapourised into a gas during an expansion process, which drives a turbine. This system generates electricity when it is most needed; taking off-peak electricity and using it at peak times will solve the 'wrong-time wrong-place' energy generation and supply problem. A grid-connected pilot plant has been operating in Slough since 2010. Professor Richard Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Birmingham and Head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and lead investigator on the project, said: 'The University of Birmingham has grown an internationally strong research community around energy related topics with in excess of £20 million research income across related areas over the last five years, so is well placed to host a centre focusing on the research and development of cryogenic energy storage. He continued: 'Energy storage is the missing link in UK energy strategy and is critical to future UK domestic electrical energy supply and industrial needs. This award is for the groundbreaking technology of using cold liquefied air as a safe, cheap, large-scale energy warehouse. It will also provide the UK's first research demonstrator plant to enable development of applications for use in the city and region.' He continued: 'We are delighted that the University of Birmingham will be building-up its capability in cryogenic energy storage. Our work to date has proven and demonstrated the core technologies. With this new dedicated research centre, we can now undertake the fundamental research to harness the opportunity and create a new industry to boost exports, technology transfer and high skilled jobs in this country in an environmentally sustainable way.' Professor Yulong Ding, a world expert in thermal energy storage, has recently been appointed to the prestigious Chamberlain Chair of Energy Storage Research at the University of Birmingham. He will take up position as Director of the new Centre in October 2013. Ends Notes to editors 2. A report by Centre for Low Carbon Futures, 'Liquid Air in the energy and transport systems: Opportunities for industry and innovation in the UK', was launched at the Royal Academy of Engineering on 9th May2013 following a six-month study. The report explored the technical, environmental and business potential of liquid air as a new energy vector. Contributors included Arup, Ricardo, Messer Group and academics from the Universities of Leeds, Birmingham, Strathclyde, Brighton, Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College. 3. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK's main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. EPSRC invests around £800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK. For further information |
