Thermochemical energy storage based on nano-structured oxides

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The amount of electricity generated from variable renewable energy (VRE) such as wind and solar increases constantly globally and the Canada Energy Regulator predicted VRE will make up to 10% of the electricity generation in Canada in 2040. To store the excess electricity in off-peak hours and allow more VRE into the grid, it is essential to develop next-generation large-capacity long-durable energy storage technologies. While pumped hydro and compressed air energy storage are options for grid-scale energy storage, they are often location- and geography-dependent. Thermochemical energy storage, by contrast, is more flexible and provides various outputs such as heat, electricity, chemical energy carriers and feedstocks. Thermochemical energy storage systems can also supply clean industrial process heat and green chemical feedstocks to decarbonize the industry, which currently accounts for around 1/3 of the greenhouse gas emitted in Canada. Yet efforts are still needed to develop this technology through the fundamental understanding of physics and chemistry in the thermochemical processes. The long-term objective of this program is to understand the kinetics of electro-thermo-chemical interactions and heat/mass transport in oxide particles, which enables the development of thermochemical energy storage technologies. Over the next five years, the non-stoichiometric oxygen carrying oxides (OCs) redox cycle will be studied. The advantages of the redox cycle are the preserved lattice structures in the charging/discharging processes and the high discharging temperatures for good thermal efficiency and flexible outputs. Four short-term objectives will be addressed. First, the redox degradation mechanism of the nano-structured oxides will be better understood through experimental investigations. Second, the reaction kinetics among the electro-thermo-chemical interactions in the charging/discharging processes will be investigated using both experimental and numerical methods. Third, the relationship between the heat/mass transport and reaction kinetics will be determined based on the multi-physics modelling of the redox process. Lastly, the technology performance will be evaluated and feedback will be provided for the material development and system design based on the techno-economic analysis framework. This allows the team to bridge the fundamental research with technology innovation in this Discovery program. This program will train highly qualified personnel (HQP) in the multi-disciplinary studies in nanomaterial fabrication, kinetics measurement and modelling, multi-physics simulation and techno-economic analysis, and provide them development opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and communication. These will prepare HQP for both academia and industry careers. The new knowledge gained and the HQP trained in this program will benefit Canada in the global leading role of renewable energy, energy storage and industry decarbonization.