Energy storage for black start services: A review

With the increasing deployment of renewable energy-based power generation plants, the power system is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy, and a blackout can be the worst scenario. The current auxiliary generators must be upgraded to energy sources with substantially high power and storage capacity, a short response time, good profitability, and minimal environmental concern. Difficulties in the power restoration of renewable energy generators should also be addressed. The different energy storage methods can store and release electrical/thermal/mechanical energy and provide flexibility and stability to the power system. Herein, a review of the use of energy storage methods for black start services is provided, for which little has been discussed in the literature. First, the challenges that impede a stable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective energy storage-based black start are identified. The energy storage-based black start service may lack supply resilience. Second, the typical energy storage-based black start service, including explanations on its steps and configurations, is introduced. Black start services with different energy storage technologies, including electrochemical, thermal, and electromechanical resources, are compared. Results suggest that hybridization of energy storage technologies should be developed, which mitigates the disadvantages of individual energy storage methods, considering the deployment of energy storage-based black start services.