The photo is sourced from insideclimatenews.org
Electrochemical energy storage is especially popular: it accounts for 79 projects (total capacity of 4.8 GW), most of which involve systems using lithium-ion batteries. Five projects with an aggregate capacity of 1.6 GW are aimed at storing energy via a technology based on molten liquid salt. This technology is used at concentrated solar power plants, which consist of a set of mirrors that direct sunlight onto a receiving tower equipped with photovoltaic modules and filled with molten salt on the inside. Concentrated sunlight heats up the molten salt to more than 550 degrees Celsius, resulting in thermal energy that can be used to convert water into steam and subsequently produce electricity.
One of the 85 projects envisages the construction of green hydrogen production facilities in the Magallanes region of southern Chile. HIF plans to set up 325 megawatts (MW) of wind power facilities in the region. Excess electricity generated during hours of low demand will be used to power electrolysis plants that will split water into oxygen and hydrogen. This will provide beneficial use of electricity without the need for bringing energy storage facilities into operation.
Most of the announced energy storage projects will help Chile balance its power supply in a system where more than half of the electricity generated comes from renewable energy sources (RES). According to the Ember think tank, 24.4% of the country’s power generation in 2022 was provided by hydroelectric power plants, whereas solar, wind and all other RES-based generators accounted for 28.6%. The total share of power plants using coal, gas and fuel oil stood at 47% in 2022. By the end of 2025, Chile plans to decommission 12 coal-fired power units with an overall capacity of 2.66 GW. This will leave only 8 coal-fired power units with an overall capacity of 1.66 GW operating across the country.
