Simplified diagram of compressed air energy storage system

What is a conventional compressed air energy storage system?

Schematic of a generic conventional compressed air energy storage (CAES) system. The prospects for the conventional CAES technology are poor in low-carbon grids [2,6–8]. Fossil fuel (typically natural gas) combustion is needed to provide heat to prevent freezing of the moisture present in the expanding air .

What is compressed air energy storage technology?

This chapter focuses on compressed air energy storage technology, which means the utilization of renewable surplus electricity to drive some compressors and thereby produce high-pressure air which can later be used for power generation. The chapter goes through the definitions and various designs of this technology.

Where will compressed air be stored?

In a Compressed Air Energy Storage system, the compressed air is stored in an underground aquifer. Wind energy is used to compress the air, along with available off-peak power. The plant configuration is for 200MW of CAES generating capacity, with 100MW of wind energy.

What determines the design of a compressed air energy storage system?

The reverse operation of both components to each other determines their design when integrated on a compressed air energy storage system. The screw and scroll are two examples of expanders, classified under reciprocating and rotary types.

How do compressed air storage systems use energy?

The modeled compressed air storage systems use both electrical energy (to compress air and possibly to generate hydrogen) and heating energy provided by natural gas (only conventional CAES). We use three metrics to compare their energy use: heat rate, work ratio, and roundtrip exergy efficiency (storage efficiency).

What is a dynamic simulation model for compressed air energy storage?

An accurate dynamic simulation model for compressed air energy storage (CAES) inside caverns has been developed. Huntorf gas turbine plant is taken as the case study to validate the model. Accurate dynamic modeling of CAES involves formulating both the mass and energy balance inside the storage..