Simulation of Energy Storage Systems

Electrical, mechanical, thermal, pneumatic or chemical energy storage solutions – with system simulation, you can analyze the behavior of energy storage systems for realistic load scenarios in detail.

Which storage technology is most suitable for my application? Does my energy storage system meet the customer’s requirements? What are the optimum dimensions to ensure economical operation?

Find quick and reliable answers to your questions about energy storage solutions with different technologies through system simulation and the simulation software SimulationX. With our solution for energy systems, you get a powerful and reliable tool for simulating energetic systems. It helps you understand the behavior of energy storage devices in detail or on a systemic level already during the conceptual phase enabling you to optimize your products very cost-efficiently. The integrated features for fault tree analyses (FTA) and failure mode and effect analyses (FMEA) let you examine the consequences of malfunctions and breakdowns of single assemblies or parts on the system as whole already in the development in order to find a suitable solution early on.

Develop next-generation energy storage solutions fast and efficiently. Simulation gives you the answers to your questions:

On the system level

  • How much energy must the energy storage be able to store and release over a certain period of time?
  • How much storage may be needed in average and how much for peak loads?
  • How long must energy be stored in the storage?
  • Which storage solution (electro-chemical, mechanical, thermal etc.) keeps losses between the generating and the consuming devices at a minimum?
  • What losses are to be expected during transmission and conversion?
Simulation elektrischer und thermischer Energiespeicher, eingebunden in ein Systemmodell Simulation elektrischer und thermischer Energiespeicher

On the component level

  • Can my storage handle and release the given energy flow within the required timeframe?
  • How high are the energy losses?
  • How much heat is generated at which points?
  • What energy density can my storage provide over which duration?
  • What aging behavior (especially for accumulators) can be expected and how can I increase the lifespan?

About safety and reliability

  • How does a failing component impact the entire system?
  • How can I prevent a component or system breakdown?
  • How does an alternative system layout impact the system’s reliability and safety?

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Working with SimulationX Users experienced in simulation work  and beginners. 

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Applications

Simulation of alternative storage technologies for a stable and economical energy supply

From battery storage to flywheel mass storage – with system simulation you can analyze different concepts for energy storage systems in a virtual environment enabling you to find the ideal storage solution to your specific task.

Be it volatile energy resources, such as wind or solar energy, or multiple different consumer devices or both: You get reliable answers to your questions even for complex energy systems.

Simulationsmodell einer Batterie innerhalb eines Systemmodells eines hybriden Antriebsstrangs Energiespeicher Simulation Batteriemodell

  • Determine and optimize energy efficiency
  • Specify system components to meet the given requirements
  • Develop and test the optimum control strategy for your compressed air energy storage
  • Master thermal effects and increase the efficiency by making use of occurring heat

Electro-chemical energy storage (batteries)

  • Master the thermal behavior of batteries through simulation with respect to material and the geometrical, mechanical and electrical properties of the cells and their interactions with each other
  • Develop optimized battery management systems (BMS) in regard to the battery’s state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH)
  • Ensure a sustained usage of the battery system
  • Make reliable predictions about a battery’s range and aging effects
  • Make profound estimations about a battery’s lifespan by simulating calendric and cyclical aging
  • Channel waste heat of batteries effectively by dimensioning the cooling system optimally through simulation
Anwendungsbeispiele der SimulationX-Bibliothek „Electrical Energy Storages“ Energiespeicher Simulation Anwendungsbeispiele

  • Optimize operating strategies between gas and electrical energy
  • Analyze the thermal behavior of the components and the entire plant
  • Achieve the optimal interaction between multiple gas sources

  • Simulate the interactions between all assemblies including flywheel mass, magnetic bearing, generator, vacuum pump and cooling system
  • Dimension your components precisely already during the conceptual phase through conceptual simulations
  • Identify undesired vibrations and examine eigenfrequencies with torsional vibration analyses

  • How do single energy storage units behave in a network as virtual storage? Simulate the interactions of different energy sources and storage types!
  • Make profound decisions already during the conceptual phases and analyze the dynamic interactions between all components
  • Develop and test the best control strategy
  • Determine early on the efficiency of your storage concept and test the system layout

  • Design heat and cold storage systems through detailed simulation:
  • Investigate temperature distribution and heat transfer
  • Analyze the behavior of fluids for phase changes (e.g. in latent heat storage systems)
  • Specify compressors, condensers, pipes, heat exchangers etc. for efficient functionality throughout the entire system
  • Select the appropriate cold or heat storage on the basis of the simulation results for the whole system including heat sources, heat sinks, storages and pipes

  • Analyze the behavior of valves for inlet and outlet under high pressure
  • Simulate the fluid’s properties for variable boundary conditions. Which fluid phase occurs when and where?
  • Design a cooling system fast and reliably
  • Prove the safety of the pressure system with automated fault tree analyses (FTA) and failure mode and effect analyses (FMEA)

Simulating a compressed air energy storage yourself

The video below shows you how easy it is. With the right model, you can try it yourself. Simply log in to the Customer Center, download the free trial version of SimulationX and run your own simulation. 

Go to Customer Center
Benefits

Fast and efficient development of reliable and efficient energy storage systems

Compare the possibilities of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and chemical energy storage solutions through dynamic system simulation! This saves time and money to find the right technology and dimensions for your system components. You increase the efficiency and reliability of your products by analyzing the physical interactions already during the design phase. They include pressure peaks, undesired vibrations und critical heat generation during operation as well as disastrous situations and emergencies. This helps you avoid unnecessary loops in the product development and backs up your investment.

Safe storage solutions for manufacturers and operators

For operators, this means improved safety and reliability of their energy storage systems and a reduced risk during operation. Manufacturers are enabled through this software tool for system simulation to minimize their product liability significantly. 

Custom-fit storage systems for the best grid integration of renewable energy resources

Be it local or public grids: Especially solar collectors and wind turbines pose a challenge to a grid’s stability. Compare the impact of different storage technologies – with different access times – on the voltage quality and the stability of the grid frequency through simulations. Find the optimum balance between a grid’s supply quality and economical ways of storing electrical energy.

Economical operation of decentralized storage

Due to the huge difference between the feed-in price and the costs for consuming energy from the grid, it is often more economical to make use of locally produced energy where it is generated. Decentralized storage also has the advantage of avoiding transformation and transmission losses as there is no need to feed energy into the high-voltage grid. However, periods of maximum consumption often do not coincide with those of maximum output, which requires electrical and thermal energy to be stored locally.

Simulation lets you compare various scenarios for decentralized energy storage solutions in low-voltage grids for an ideal combination of decentralized power generation, energy storage and consumption.

Reducing costs with combined cooling, heat and power plus suitable energy storage systems

The smart combination of a cogeneration unit with, depending on the scenario, a battery storage and a heat and cold storage system can help reduce energy costs significantly, especially for small and medium sized companies. Locally stored energy also ensures a reliable energy supply: for production processes and sensitive industrial machinery for example. Simulations of your cogeneration system in conjunction with one or more batteries allow you to make reliable predictions about the degree of energy conversion efficiency of your machinery throughout its operation. This also helps you determine how much your energy storage is capable of sustaining a stable energy supply.

  • TU Dresden

    The Institute of Power Engineering at the Dresden University of Technology analyzes complex thermodynamic interactions in cooling devices with SimulationX

    about TU's project

  • TU Darmstadt

    The Darmstadt University researches deep borehole heat storage systems with SimulationX

    About TU Darmstadt's Project
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    David Pusch Engineering
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