The role of liquid air energy storage compressor

What is a liquid air energy storage system?

An alternative to those systems is represented by the liquid air energy storage (LAES) system that uses liquid air as the storage medium. LAES is based on the concept that air at ambient pressure can be liquefied at −196 °C, reducing thus its specific volume of around 700 times, and can be stored in unpressurized vessels.

Why is liquid air energy storage important?

The intensification of carbon emissions and the energy crisis have made the safe and reliable application of renewable energy in the energy supply system significantly urgent. Liquid air energy storage (LAES) system is an effective means to solve the time and space mismatch between energy supply and demand.

Is liquid air energy storage a promising thermo-mechanical storage solution?

6. Conclusions and outlook Given the high energy density, layout flexibility and absence of geographical constraints, liquid air energy storage (LAES) is a very promising thermo-mechanical storage solution, currently on the verge of industrial deployment.

Is liquid air energy storage a viable solution?

In this context, liquid air energy storage (LAES) has recently emerged as feasible solution to provide 10-100s MW power output and a storage capacity of GWhs.

How do air compressors work?

The air compressors ensure a high working air pressure of ∼9 MPa (or more) with 3–5 stages of compressions and intercoolers. The working air is deeply cooled down through the cryo-turbines or throttling valves, the liquid air is finally produced and stored in a liquid air tank.

What is the storage section of a liquefaction evaporator (LAEs)?

The storage section of the LAES stores the liquid air produced by the liquefaction cycle in unpressurized or low pressurized insulated vessels. The energy losses for a LAES storage tank can be estimated to be around 0.1–0.2% of the tank energy capacity per day, which makes the LAES suitable as a long-term energy storage system.