Where can I find a report on long-duration energy storage?

This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at Marqusee, Jeffrey, Dan Olis, Xiangkun Li, and Tucker Oddleifson. 2023. Long-Duration Energy Storage: Resiliency for Military Installations. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Can long-duration energy storage (LDEs) meet the DoD's 14-day requirement?

This report provides a quantitative techno-economic analysis of a long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology, when coupled to on-base solar photovoltaics (PV), to meet the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) 14-day requirement to sustain critical electric loads during a power outage and significantly reduce an installation’s carbon footprint.

How much electricity does a military installation use?

Typical mid-size to large active military installations’ peak electric loads range from 10 to 90 MW, and their critical electric loads range from approximately 15% to 35% of the total electric load. Figure 6 illustrates conditions seen on seven different mid-size to large military installations. Figure 6.

What is long-duration energy storage (LDEs)?

The Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), though its Duration Addition to electricitY Storage (DAYS) program (2), has invested in long-duration energy storage (LDES) systems with a focus on meeting the future needs of the grid. One such technology, developed by Antora Energy (3), stores thermal energy in carbon blocks.

What is energy storage or duration?

Energy storage or duration is scalable and affordable. Because energy storage capacity or duration is solely dependent on the volume of carbon blocks, it can easily be increased without significant costs. This allows the BESS to have durations of multiple days at an affordable price. The BESS is inherently safe.

Is diesel a good investment for military installations?

This may be a valuable opportunity in the future, and the costs and benefits should be considered as the markets mature. Dependence on large quantities of diesel fuel represents an important vulnerability for military installations. Many installations do not have the volume of diesel stored on base to meet a 14-day outage.