Can chemical plants use energy storage batteries

A guide to bringing thermal batteries to chemical and refining plants across the United States. The heating needs of the chemicals and petroleum refining sectors account for 5 percent to 6 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions. Today, most of this heat is generated by burning natural gas or other fossil fuels.

Depending on how it is stored, it can be kept over long periods and is not seasonally dependent like pumped hydro. Chemical storage can add power into the grid and also store excess power from the grid for later use. Alternatively, many chemicals used for energy storage, like hydrogen, can decarbonize industry and transportation.

Chemical energy storage scientists are working closely with PNNL's electric grid researchers, analysts, and battery researchers. For example, we have developed a hydrogen fuel cell valuation tool that provides techno-economic analysis to inform industry and grid operators on how hydrogen generation and storage can benefit their local grid.

But, energy is also stored in other chemical forms, including biomass like wood, gases such as hydrogen and methane, and batteries. These other chemical forms are key enablers for decarbonization of our electric grid, industrial operations, and the transportation sector.

Fossil fuels are one of the most familiar examples of storing energy in chemical bonds. Energy is released when the bonds in chemical compounds, like petroleum, coal, and natural gas, are broken. But, energy is also stored in other chemical forms, including biomass like wood, gases such as hydrogen and methane, and batteries.

As industry faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions, thermal batteries' potential to abate as much as 99 percent of current heat emissions when coupled with renewable energy make them an attractive alternative for industrial heating.