To ensure the stability and reliability of the power network operation, a number of Grid Codes have been used to specify the technical boundary requirements for different countries and areas. With the fast propagation of the usage of Electrical Energy Storage (EES), it is quite important to study how the EES technology with its development can help the Grid Code realization. The paper provides a comprehensive study of Great Britain (GB) Grid Code mainly on its voltage and frequency relevant specifications, with a comparison of other countries’ grid operation regulations. The different types of EES technologies with their technical characteristics in relation to meeting Grid Codes have been analysed. From the study, apart from direct grid-connection to provide grid services on meeting Grid Codes, EES devices with different technologies can be used as auxiliary units in fossil-fuelled power plants and renewable generation to support the whole systems’ operation. The paper also evaluates the potentials of different types of EES technologies for implementing the relevant applications based on the Grid Codes. Some recommendations are given at the end, for the EES technology development to help the Grid Code realization and to support the relevant applications.

The growing number of vehicles on the road has led to a rapid increase in fuel consumption and toxic gas emissions, so the challenges in fuel efficiency improvement and reduction of CO₂ and NO_x emissions have always been on the top agenda of the automotive industry. The paper presents a feasibility study of recovering the low-pressure exhaust gas energy via by-pass connection of a scroll expander to the engine system exhaust. The paper starts with the description of the proposed new exhaust energy recycling scheme and the mathematical modelling of the system. A feasibility study is carried out to investigate whether this new scheme can work with the engine operation conditions specified by the engine test data. The initial study indicated that the scroll expander structure needs to be modified; otherwise, it cannot be used for exhaust energy recovery. The experimental test and simulation results presented in this paper indicate that it is feasible to recover the low-pressure exhaust gas energy using a scroll expander with a modified structure. The proposed energy recovery system has the potential to produce over 400 W power output with over 90% of engine exhaust flow recycling.

The scroll-type air motor, also named the scroll expander, has been widely used for different applications due to its characteristics of compact structure and high energy conversion efficiency. However, the leakage and the friction result in non-negligible energy losses. This paper presents the recent work on developing a new scroll-type air motor with mounted permanent magnetic spirals and investigates its potential in leakage reduction and efficiency improvement, especially at low-pressure air supply conditions. A method for the implementation of the magnetic scroll air motor is proposed. A prototype is manufactured and initial experimental tests are conducted to study the generalized torque distribution. A mathematical model for the magnetic scroll air motor is developed and a corresponding simulation study is presented. The study shows that the proposed magnetic scroll air motor structure is feasible in terms of manufacturing and has the potential to reduce the air leakage and thus to improve the energy efficiency by a maximum of around 15% at a supply pressure of Pa with a flank leakage clearance reference of 0.06mm.