Interview with Dr. Saman Nimali Gunasekara on the hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) and interoperability
In the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy, experts like Dr. Saman Nimali Gunasekara are at the forefront, offering innovative solutions and insights to address the challenges faced by energy communities and households.
Dr. Saman Nimali Gunasekara, Assistant Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of energy systems and storage. With extensive experience in advancing innovative energy solutions, Dr. Gunasekara shared her insights on the transformative role of interoperability and hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) in revolutionizing energy communities.
Interoperability: A Key to Economic Viability
When asked how interoperability impacts the economic feasibility of energy storage systems, Dr. Gunasekara emphasized its foundational role. “Interoperability—the ability of systems and products to share resources and work together—becomes the basis for holistic optimization of energy systems,” she explained. By integrating diverse energy storage solutions, smaller communities and individual households can achieve CO2 mitigation, efficiency gains, and increased renewable energy adoption, translating into tangible economic benefits.
The Power of Hybrid Energy Storage Systems
Hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) offer unique advantages over traditional storage methods by combining multiple storage technologies to work in harmony. “The key difference is that these systems complement, rather than compete with, one another,” Dr. Gunasekara noted. This synergy allows for effective responses to energy demands and cost signals, enhancing overall system efficiency.
HESS provides multifaceted benefits, including grid stability, storage, flexibility, and value stacking. Whether at a large scale, such as pairing pumped hydro storage with district heating and cooling systems, or at a household level with solar PV systems combined with electrical batteries and hot water storage, HESS demonstrates adaptability and scalability.
Promising Technologies and Future Innovations
When asked about the most promising technologies in hybrid energy storage, Dr. Gunasekara highlighted the thermal energy sector’s critical role. With 50% of global energy consumption attributed to heating and cooling, decarbonizing this sector is essential. Innovative solutions like thermal energy storage (TES), using materials such as phase-change or thermochemical mediums, hold significant potential.
In the next five years, Dr. Gunasekara envisions TES systems enabling flexible sector coupling (FSC) between the thermal and electrical energy sectors. By integrating TES with heat pumps, chillers, and surplus renewable electricity, energy communities will benefit from unparalleled efficiency and flexibility.
Hybrid Systems Driving Energy Communities Forward
Dr. Gunasekara emphasized that hybrid energy storage systems and interoperable solutions are pivotal for the growth of energy communities. These technologies combine the strengths of various energy storage types, supporting CO2 reduction, efficiency enhancement, and renewable energy integration. “The synergized benefits of these systems bring strong economic advantages and empower energy communities to thrive,” she concluded.
As innovations in hybrid energy storage and interoperability continue to evolve, experts like Dr. Gunasekara are helping to pave the way for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
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