Fraunhofer IEE, in collaboration with industrial partners, is currently carrying out tests on an innovative underwater energy storage system . This system uses submerged concrete spheres operating on the principle of hydraulic pumping – a technology that could revolutionise the energy transition.
Following a successful initial test in Lake Constance, Germany, the test is now taking place off the coast of California, with a 400-tonne, nine-metre-diameter sphere submerged to a depth of up to 600 metres.
Spherical energy storage technology
This system, called StEnSea (Storing Energy at Sea), stores energy using a hollow sphere that is emptied to charge and filled with water to release energy, similar to pumped storage plants on land. With a power of 0.5 MW and a capacity of 0.4 MWh in this pilot phase, StEnSea storage represents a viable solution for storing large amounts of energy in the short to medium term in the ocean.
The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics, with an investment of 3.4 million euros , and by the US Department of Energy, with funding of 4 million dollars. Fraunhofer IEE is working with Sperra, a US start-up specialising in 3D printing of concrete , and Pleuger Industries, a manufacturer of underwater motor pumps, an essential component of the system.
Projections and global potential
According to the researchers, this technology could achieve a global storage capacity of 817,000 GWh , with optimal locations in Norway, Portugal and other deep-sea areas. The estimated storage costs would be 4.6 cents per kWh, with a useful life of between 50 and 60 years. The efficiency of this system is between 75% and 80% , which makes it a competitive alternative to conventional storage systems.
Energy stored using the StEnSea system could help stabilise electricity grids and facilitate the transition to a sustainable energy model, storing electricity when prices are low and releasing it when needed, thus optimising the use of renewable energy at sea .
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Source and photo: Fraunhofer IEE
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