Although generators and storage batteries share the commonality of supplying energy, there are significant differences in their functions and uses.
1. What is a Generator?
A generator is a device that uses fuel (e.g., gasoline, diesel, natural gas, etc.) to produce electricity.
The basic mechanism is that the engine rotates to produce electricity, which is then supplied for use.
Feature
・ Rechargeable
Storage batteries store power once and can be used later when needed.
Even if the batteries run out of charge, they can be recharged and used again, thus enabling repeated use.
・ clean energy
The storage battery itself does not require fuel and uses external power grids and renewable energy sources when recharging.
This has the advantage of being environmentally friendly.
・ quietness
Unlike generators, storage batteries do not make noise.
This has the advantage that they are easy to use in residential areas or in places where noise is a concern.
Usage scenarios
・ Storing electricity generated by solar power generation, etc. and using it at night or on cloudy days
・ Energy management at home or business
・ Portable power source for outdoor and emergency use
3. 発電機と蓄電池の主な違い
|
(data) item |
power generator |
storage battery |
|
Power Supply Method |
Generates electricity by burning fuel |
Releasing charged power |
|
Fuel Needs |
Required (gasoline, diesel, etc.) |
Not required (rechargeable)
|
|
noise from operation |
Noise |
silent |
|
exhaust fumes |
occurrence |
Does not occur |
|
usage time |
Can be used for long periods of time as long as fuel is available
|
Dependent on battery capacity
(limited time) |
|
cost |
Low initial investment but fuel costs
|
High initial investment but low operating costs
|
|
Environmental Impact |
Carbon dioxide emissions from fuel use
|
Environmentally friendly |
4. summary
While the world’s energy challenges are diverse and have different aspects in different regions, there are also major issues that we face in common.
The following 10 issues are a brief summary of the key problems that need to be solved to achieve a sustainable energy supply and environmental protection on a global scale.
1. Breaking away from dependence on fossil fuels
Today, the majority of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal.
These fuels emit large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. In addition, fossil fuels are finite resources and are expected to be depleted in the future. There is an urgent need to move away from these fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy sources.
2. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and consumption are accelerating global warming.
The Paris Agreement and other frameworks exist to address international climate change, and greenhouse gas reduction targets have been set. However, the efforts of each country are uneven, and challenges remain in achieving reduction targets.
3. Inequality in energy access
In many parts of the world, people still lack access to stable energy supplies.
Particularly in Africa and parts of Asia, electricity supply is unstable and access to energy is an obstacle to social and economic development. There is an urgent need to develop infrastructure to ensure that poor and rural residents have access to electricity.
4. Diffusion of Renewable Energy and Challenges
Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, etc.) are gaining attention as sustainable energy sources with low environmental impact, but there are several challenges to their introduction. The main challenge is the instability of supply. Since solar and wind power depend on weather and time of day, and stable supply is difficult to achieve, it is important to develop energy storage technology and infrastructure.
5. Improved energy efficiency
Low energy efficiency results in wasted energy consumption and increased environmental impact.
Energy efficiency is particularly low in the industrial and transportation sectors, and efficiency improvements are needed. Improving energy efficiency is an important issue because it directly leads to reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Development of energy storage technology
Advancements in storage battery (battery) technology are essential to promote the spread of renewable energy.
Storage batteries are an important technology for storing surplus energy and supplying it when demand is high. However, the current high cost and limited capacity and efficiency of storage batteries require the development of new technologies to overcome these problems.
7. Aging energy infrastructure and renewal
In many countries, the energy infrastructure is aging and requires major investments to update it.
In addition, as renewable energy is introduced, it must be integrated with existing infrastructure.
Upgrading smart grid technology and power grids is critical to this.
8. Competition for resources and geopolitical risks
Competition over energy resources can be a source of international tension and conflict.
Conflicts over resources can arise especially between oil and natural gas producing and consuming countries. The economic impact of energy supply disruptions and concerns about national security are also important issues.
9. Social Impacts of the Energy Transition
The process of shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy may impact existing industries and jobs.
Particularly in areas dependent on the coal and oil industries, workers must be retrained and new employment opportunities created. How to reconcile this social impact will be a key challenge in a successful energy transition.
10. Water resources and energy
Energy production often consumes large amounts of water (e.g., thermal and nuclear power plants).
At the same time, climate change and population growth are making it increasingly difficult to secure water resources in an increasing number of regions. A sustainable energy policy that takes into account the relationship between water and energy is required.
Modern society cannot exist without the exchange of data and information.
The facilities that process, store, and manage this data are “data centers.
Data centers play a central role in companies and services, handling vast amounts of data efficiently and securely.
However, for data centers to continue to operate stably, a stable power supply is essential.
Storage batteries” are an important element of this power supply.
Data center operations and power supply
Data centers must operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Therefore, power supply is a critical factor.Power outages and power supply instability can cause data loss and service downtime (outages).Not only is data center equipment expensive, but its reduced uptime is a major loss to the enterprise.
In addition, the energy consumption of data centers is so high that a sustainable power supply is required.For these reasons, the stability and efficiency of the power supply is one of the most important factors in data center design.
Role of storage batteries
Storage batteries play an important role in supporting the stability of the power supply. Their advantages are particularly demonstrated in the following situations
1．Backup power supply in case of power failure
Data centers must remain operational in the event of a power outage.Storage batteries are used as backup power sources that can immediately supply power in the event of a power failure.
This allows the data center to continue operations without having to wait for generators to start up.
2．Peak Shift and Electricity Rate Optimization
Storage batteries are also used to provide power during peak periods and to reduce power consumption during periods of high electricity prices.By recharging power in storage batteries and using that power during peak hours, the cost of electricity rates can be reduced.
This allows for a reduction in operating costs.
3．Linkage with Renewable Energy
Cooperation with renewable energy sources (solar and wind power) is also important.Since the amount of electricity generated by renewable energy sources fluctuates depending on the weather and time of day, storage batteries can be used to absorb these fluctuations.
Power can be stored in storage batteries and released when demand increases or power generation is low, supporting stable operation of the data center.
Storage Battery Selection Criteria and Issues
There are several important criteria for selecting storage batteries to be installed in a data center, the first being capacity.
Depending on the size of the data center and the required backup time, an appropriate capacity should be selected.The second is durability and longevity. This is because storage batteries are required to be operated for a long period of time, so it is important to select highly durable ones.
Cost is also a major factor.
It is necessary to make a decision based on the total cost, including not only the initial installation cost but also operation and maintenance costs. On the other hand, storage batteries also present challenges.
For example, there are problems related to the limit of storage capacity and the efficiency of recharge/discharge.
The high initial cost of storage batteries can also be a burden for data center operators.
Future Outlook
In recent years, as the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy continues to grow, there has been growing interest in more efficient and safer energy storage technologies.
In this context, the “all-individual battery (Solid-State Battery)” is attracting significant attention as a next-generation battery.
Solid-state batteries have the potential to replace conventional lithium-ion batteries and are expected to be used in a variety of fields.
What is an all-individual battery?
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, all-individual batteries use a “solid” electrolyte inside.
Whereas in a conventional lithium-ion battery, lithium ions move through a liquid electrolyte, in an all-individual battery its electrolyte is solid, allowing current to flow without depending on the liquid electrolyte. This creates several important advantages.
1．Improved safety
One of the greatest advantages of all-individual batteries is improved safety.
Conventional lithium-ion batteries use a liquid electrolyte, which can ignite or explode if overcharged, overdischarged, or subjected to external shock. In contrast, all-individual batteries use a solid electrolyte, which greatly reduces the risk of ignition or expansion.
Solid electrolytes are also resistant to extreme temperature changes, providing greater safety.
2．High energy density
All-individual batteries are expected to have a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries.
This is because the solid electrolyte supports more efficient lithium ion transfer, allowing for a smaller battery with the same capacity.
High energy density could significantly extend battery life in devices such as electric vehicles and smartphones.
3．Long service life
Solid electrolytes are chemically more stable than liquid electrolytes and can withstand extended periods of use.
As a result, all-individual batteries are expected to have a longer service life than lithium-ion batteries.
This is expected to reduce the frequency of battery replacement and lower total costs in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
4．High temperature resistance
Solid electrolytes are more resistant to high temperature environments than liquid electrolytes.
This allows all-individual batteries to avoid performance degradation at extreme temperatures and to operate stably even in hot and humid regions or in harsh environments.
This makes them suitable for use in a variety of industrial applications and under harsh conditions.
Scope of Application and Future of All-Individual Batteries
Once commercialized, all-individual batteries will have a very wide range of applications.
In particular, they are expected to be used as batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). The high energy density and long life of all-individual batteries have the potential to significantly increase the cruising range of EVs.
In addition, they are also expected to be used in diverse fields, such as home appliances, drones, aircraft, and storage batteries for renewable energy.
Furthermore, if the evolution of all-individual batteries improves the efficiency of energy storage technologies in general, they will play a major role in the spread of renewable energy.
The ability to efficiently store unstable energy sources such as wind and solar power and release them when needed will accelerate the realization of a cleaner, more sustainable energy society.
All-phase batteries have the potential to be the next generation of batteries with many advantages such as their superior safety, high energy density, long life, and high temperature resistance.
Technical hurdles to commercialization, such as production costs, performance at low temperatures, and the physical properties of solid electrolytes, still exist.
Nevertheless, the widespread use of all-individual batteries could have a revolutionary impact on the fields of electric vehicles and renewable energy, and future developments that will have a significant impact on our lives should be watched with particular attention.
Introduction
Electricity consumption is on the rise these days, with peaks occurring during certain times of the year, particularly in summer and winter. Today, there is a particular need for infrastructure development and power supply to handle peak loads, and peak shaving is one of the solutions to these problems of increased energy demand and peak loads.
1. Increased Energy Demand and Peak Load Issues
■ Increased Energy Demand
There are three main factors that explain why electricity demand is increasing.
The first is economic growth. With global economic growth, there has been an increase in industrial, commercial, and residential electricity consumption. Particularly in developing countries, urbanization and industrialization are rapidly increasing energy demand.
The second is the rapid increase in demand for data centers and servers due to the spread of technologies such as digitalization and technological innovation (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), which in turn is increasing power consumption.
And the third is climate change countermeasures. In Japan, various efforts to expand the introduction of renewable energy have been underway since before COP28 in 2023, while new forms of energy consumption, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps used for air conditioning, are also increasing.
■ Peak Load Issues
In addition, peak demand is also an issue. Electricity demand surges at certain times of the year (e.g., summer afternoons and winter nights), and if power supply cannot keep up during these times, there is a risk of power outages and supply shortages. The power grid and power plant infrastructure must be strengthened to cope with such peak loads, but this comes at a significant cost. In addition, power plant operations can become unstable.
2. what is peak shaving? Definition of Peak Shaving
Peak shaving, by the way, refers to reducing peak electricity consumption during specific time periods. This improves the stability of the power supply and reduces the burden on the power grid. In addition, the supply of electricity must instantaneously meet demand, and since shortages of supply during peak hours increase the risk for each power company, peak shaving with storage batteries reduces risk by balancing supply and demand, thereby promoting the efficient use of energy.
3. The Role of Storage Batteries and Their Importance
Storage batteries play a role in coordinating supply and demand by storing electricity during periods of low demand and releasing it during periods of high demand to level out peaks, thereby improving the stability of the electricity supply. In addition to improving energy efficiency and promoting the use of renewable energy through this technology, storage batteries complement weather-dependent renewable energy sources, which tend to be unstable in terms of power generation, by storing surplus power and using it when needed, thereby promoting more efficient use.
Furthermore, the biggest advantage for consumers is that usage fees can be significantly reduced.
By reducing electricity consumption during peak hours, electricity rates can be leveled out, thus avoiding high electricity prices (maximum demand) that, once raised, do not fall thereafter, and reducing overall electricity costs. This improvement in cost efficiency is especially important for companies.
On the other hand, since more than 70% of Japan’s power supply composition is provided by thermal power generation, the use of storage batteries is also suitable for environmental considerations, as they promote the use of renewable energy sources, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to CO2 emissions reduction.
4. stability of power supply in case of “what if” situations
Above all, storage batteries are capable of supplying power even in the event of a power outage, and are therefore seen as a powerful tool for ensuring the continuity of critical infrastructure and services. This is because storage batteries are expected to play an important role in times of disaster, especially in critical facilities such as hospitals and data centers, where the stability of power supply is enhanced, and in high-rise buildings, where human lives may be at stake depending on whether or not elevators are in operation.
Conclusion
Increasing energy demand and peak load problems are having a significant impact on the stability of the power supply.
In this context, storage batteries are expected to be realized as a sustainable energy system, as they promote the efficient use of energy and renewable energy, thereby contributing to cost reduction and environmental protection.
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