Testing, Modeling and Integration of Energy Storage Technologies

The shift towards 100% renewable power is an ambitious yet challenging target. Such power grid infrastructure requires an accelerated deployment of novel energy storage technologies, especially long-duration energy storage technologies, to accommodate power demand during periods of low generation of power. The majority of novel long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies have not reached full commercial maturity yet, which renders raising larger investments a challenging task.

In this theme, we will develop testing, modeling and grid integration protocols for batteries and thermal energy storage, focusing on LDES. We will develop deep-learning models for integrated microgrids with single and multi-energy storage systems. The goal is to develop algorithms for better grid control methods, better battery lifetime and management approaches in operation, and eventually cost savings. We also aim to test the viability of different energy storage technologies, especially in the context of the Kingdom's harsh climate. We will initially work with commercial battery and energy storage systems, but we will later use in-house-developed technologies by integrating them in demonstrator facilities installed in the KAUST New Energy Oasis. This theme will work with various industrial partners and align closely with the battery, photovoltaic and hydrogen storage themes to test KAUST-developed prototypes at the system level.