As more renewable energy projects take hold in California, there is more need for effective ways to store that energy.
A paper published by a UC Merced research team examines how the need for storage can vary for different combinations of renewable resources.
Zabir Mahmud and his team published the paper in iScience, an open access journal that provides a platform for original research in the life, physical, earth and health sciences, according to its website.
The paper compared the merits of solar-only and solar-and-wind power generation grids.
"Energy storage is a must for this type of (renewables-driven) grid," Mahmud said. "So, we wanted to determine how this need of storage can vary for different combinations of renewable resources."
Studies have shown that different grid roles need different types of storage attributes, such as duration, the researchers wrote.
"It is probable that a grid will benefit from having storage technologies with a range of durations so that some may be used to meet peak loads (cycling frequently) while others provide power during extended times of poor weather (cycling infrequently)."
Mahmud is pursuing his Ph.D. in Environmental Systems under the supervision of Professor Sarah Kurtz, after graduating with a bachelor's of science in mechanical engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, where he focused on renewable energy.
At UC Merced, as part of the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) group, his current research focus includes assessment of solar and wind resource portfolios and quantifying its impact on energy storage needs towards reaching a zero-carbon grid in California.
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