Cryogenic compressed air energy storage

What is a cryogenic energy storage system?

Due to this peculiarity, cryogens find extensive applications in the industry. In a cryogenic energy storage system, excess energy produced by the power plant during off peak hours is used pull in the atmospheric air and compress it to produce cryogens, generally liquid nitrogen or oxygen.

How efficient is cryogenic storage?

As an example of a more efficient storage technology, cryogenic (Liquid air) storage has a round-trip efficiency of up to 70% as shown in the right branch of Fig. 3. This means that 30% of the energy is lost as low grade heat in the round trip .

Is compressed air better than cryogenic?

Compressed air storage can have a comparable efficiency to Cryogenic (Liquid Air) under some circumstances and is more suited to longer-term, inter-seasonal storage than Cryogenic. So it is possible that a combination of liquid air and compressed air may ultimately be the best solution.

Why is cryogenic energy storage a green option?

Cryogenic energy storage is a green option because it uses air or nitrogen which is abundantly available in atmosphere and there are no direct emissions. More ever, if not for energy storage, the liquid air- Nitrogen or Oxygen- produced from the process can be used commercially or for refrigeration purposes.

What are some good books about cryogenic systems?

R. F. Barron, Cryogenic Systems (Oxford, 1985). T. Flynn, Cryogenic Engineering, 2nd Ed (CRC Press, 2004). R. Harrabin, " Liquid Air 'Offers Energy Storage Hope' ," BBC News, 1 Oct 12. H. Chen et al., "Progress in Electrical Energy Storage System: A Critical Review," Prog.

Are cryogenic and compressed air electricity storage costs comparable to pumped hydro?

Conclusion: The levelized cost of cryogenic and compressed air electricity storage are comparable with pumped hydro. Cryogenic storage has the advantage that it can be located anywhere around the country and doesn’t need to be near to particular geological features – hilly terrain or salt caverns.