NewSETS: New Energy Storages Promoting Sustainable Energy Transition in Societies

R&D-project final report

Authors: Riikonen, Juhani; Ollila, Iisa; Price, Alisdair; Uppa, Juha; Sihvonen, Ville; Honkapuro, Samuli; Jaanto, Jasmin; Ghorbani, Narges; Ylönen, Markku; Eronen, Tommi; Kivioja, Ville; Peltola, Miika; Naskali, Liisa; Moisala, Terhi; Ulvinen, Matti; Georgii, Nikolas

Published on: LUT Scientific and Expertise Publications Tutkimusraportit – Research Reports, 163. ISBN 978-952-412-082-1. 2024

Available at: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-412-082-1

NewSETS was an R&D&I-project focusing on energy storage, especially seasonal sand-based heat storage and pumped hydro storage. NewSETS was led by project manager Flexens Oy Ab, where I was the responsible manager, with partners LUT University, Polar Night Energy Oy, and Pumped Hydro Storage Sweden AB (later acquired by SENS AB). NewSETS linked demonstrations, feasibility studies, market, and system analyses with communication efforts. The team produced high-level scientific journal papers for the storage types as well as easy-to-read white papers. The project showed various outcomes and recommendations regarding energy storage for different stakeholders.

Combined utilization of electricity and thermal storages in a highly renewable energy system within an island society

Scienfic, peer-reviewed journal article

Authors: Sihvonen Ville, Riikonen Juhani, Price Alisdair, Nordlund Edvard, Honkapuro Samuli, Ylönen Markku, Kivioja Ville, Hedman Åsa, Tullberg Rikard.

Published on: Journal of Energy Storage, Volume 89, 2024.

Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111864

In this paper, a comparative analysis was performed on two energy storage solutions: small-scale underground pumped hydro storage (PHS) and high-temperature thermal energy storage (HTTES). Using the PLEXOS energy and power system modeling software, the study analyzed the operation and performance of these storage systems in Åland Island, an autonomous region of Finland. Business cases are studied by comparing annual energies, operating hours, price paid, and price received of the storage types in different scenarios, when operating the storage types separately and combined.

Role of power-to-heat and thermal energy storage in decarbonization of district heating

Scientific, peer-reviewed journal article

Authors: Sihvonen Ville, Ollila Iisa, Jaanto Jasmin, Grönman Aki, Honkapuro Samuli, Riikonen Juhani, Price Alisdair

Pubished on: Energy, Volume 305, 2024.

Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.132372

Pathways to decarbonize the district heating system in Åland (an autonomous region of Finland) are explored in this study. Especially, the roles of different power-to-heat technologies, e.g., heat pumps and direct electric heating, and thermal energy storage are investigated in the decarbonization of the district heating system. The focus is on studying the impact of varying prices in electricity markets on the operation of climate-neutral district heating systems. For this, three scenarios were modeled over the five years of 2018–2022 with varying demand and electricity market prices by using the modeling software PLEXOS.

Thermal storage deployment in the framework of current electricity market design

Scientific conference article

Authors: Jaanto Jasmin, Sihvonen Ville, Honkapuro Samuli, Riikonen Juhani, Price Alisdair, Ylönen Markku, Kivioja Ville

Published on: 19th International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM), 2023

Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/EEM58374.2023.10161744

In this paper, the participation of power-to-heat technologies and thermal energy storages in the electricity market are examined. In particular, the paper aims to review the key enablers, barriers, and drivers for power-to-heat and thermal energy storages in the context of electricity markets. Additionally, the technical potential of power-to-heat technologies combined with thermal energy storages are examined. The study is based on a literature review and examines especially the context of Finnish energy system and market.

New energy technologies – a summary of the alternatives for burning fuels

Consultancy, Study for the Finnish Energy

Authors: ÅF-Consult Oy

Published on the Finnish Energy Website, 2019

Available at: https://energia.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ZETPOLF_uudet_tekniikat_ja_polttaminen_loppuraportti.pdf (in Finnish Only)

Our team made a report for the Finnish Energy in which we review the relevant alternatives of combustion based energy generation. I was the project manager, responsible for the selling and closing the deal as well as leading the execution, until roughly half of the project when I left ÅF and joined Flexens.

Energy tax subsidies and cost efficient energy security

Report for the Publication series of the Finnish Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities

Authors: Wahlström Johanna, Kaskela Jarno, Riikonen Juhani, Hankalin Ville

Publication series of the Government’s analysis, assessment and research 2019:56. Prime Minister’s Office 30 September 2019

Available at: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-287-785-7

ISBN PDF 978-952-287-785-7 ISSN (PDF) 2342-6799

This publication studies whether the current fuel tax subsidies are efficient means to ensure energy security including the security of electricity supply. Alternative means are also examined. The studied fuel tax subsidies are the lowered tax rate of peat, the tax subsidy of combined heat and power (CHP) and the zero rated tax of solid biomass fuel.

The role of hydropower in the Finnish energy system

Consultancy. Study for the Finnish Energy

Authors: ÅF-Consult Oy

Published on the Finnish Energy Website, 2019.

Available at: https://energia.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Vesivoimaselvitys_FINALrev1_20190206.pdf (in Finnish Only)

The study describes the present role of hydropower in the Finnish electricity system, as well as the projected role in 2030. The study also compares hydro power to other alternatives of generating flexibility to the electricity system.

A study of Finnish bioenergy (Fin: “Omaa Energiaa”)

Consultancy, Study for the Finnish Bioenergy Association

Authors: ÅF-Consult Oy

Published on ePressi, 2018

Available at: https://www.epressi.com/media/userfiles/131763/1543302745/bery-omaa-energiaa-raportti-julkinen-final.pdf (in Finnish Only)

The study investigated domestic fuels, especially wood chips and peat, their usage and operating environment.

The present profitability of grid-scale lithium-ion batteries in Finland and future prospects

Master’s thesis, 2018

Authors: Riikonen Juhani

Available at: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201809034796

This thesis studies the present profitability of grid-scale lithium-ion batteries in Finland combined with their future prospects in the market. The future outlook is limited to 2030. The thesis is based on a lithium-ion electrical energy storage technology literature review which estimates the installed system costs, cycle life, calendar life, round-trip efficiency as well as operation, maintenance and administrative costs. The details of the review are combined with the data on the Finnish electricity market, provided by Fingrid and Nord Pool AS.