Win the bid for liquid compressed air energy storage project

What is a compressed air energy storage project?

A compressed air energy storage (CAES) project in Hubei, China, has come online, with 300MW/1,500MWh of capacity. The 5-hour duration project, called Hubei Yingchang, was built in two years with a total investment of CNY1.95 billion (US$270 million) and uses abandoned salt mines in the Yingcheng area of Hubei, China’s sixth-most populous province.

Are liquid air energy storage systems economically viable?

“Liquid air energy storage” (LAES) systems have been built, so the technology is technically feasible. Moreover, LAES systems are totally clean and can be sited nearly anywhere, storing vast amounts of electricity for days or longer and delivering it when it’s needed. But there haven’t been conclusive studies of its economic viability.

Could liquid air energy storage be a low-cost option?

New research finds liquid air energy storage could be the lowest-cost option for ensuring a continuous power supply on a future grid dominated by carbon-free but intermittent sources of electricity.

What are the challenges of a compressed air energy storage system?

Traditional CAES systems face two big challenges: wasted heat and inconsistent power output. Willow Rock’s advanced compressed air energy storage system (A-CAES) technology solves these problems: Thermal energy capture: Conventional CAES loses around 50% of energy during the air compression process.

Could liquid air unlock a new opportunity for long-duration energy storage?

The world’s most available substance could unlock a new opportunity for long-duration energy storage. Liquid air refers to air that has been cooled to low temperatures, causing it to condense into a liquid state. Credit: Waraphorn Aphai via Shutterstock.

How can liquid air storage benefit the chemical industry?

Liquid air storage benefits from other sectors’ legacy systems. Given that air-condensing technologies have been part of the chemicals industry for decades, LAES can use the industry’s off-the-shelf parts, reducing infrastructure and maintenance costs, as well as build times.