Compressed-air-energy storage (CAES) is a way to store energy for later use using compressed air. At a utility scale, energy generated during periods of low demand can be released during peak load periods. The first utility-scale CAES project was in the Huntorf power plant in Elsfleth, Germany, and is still operational as of 2024.
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Figure 1. Various options for compressed air energy storage (CAES). PA-CAES: Porous Aquifer-CAES, DR -CAES: Depleted Reservoir CAES, CW-CAES: Cased Wellbore-CAES. Note: this figure is not scaled. Figure 2. A sealed mine adit as a potential pressure vessel. Note - CA: compressed air, RC: reinforced
The CAES technology is similar to several more recent and older energy storage designs that have similar characteristics, but do not follow the exact same principles as CAES systems. These include technologies for humidifying compressed air storage (CASH).
The number of sites available for compressed air energy storage is higher compared to those of pumped hydro [, ]. Porous rocks and cavern reservoirs are also ideal storage sites for CAES. Gas storage locations are capable of being used as sites for storage of compressed air .
With excellent storage duration, capacity, and power, compressed air energy storage systems enable the integration of renewable energy into future electrical grids. There has been a significant limit to the adoption rate of CAES due to its reliance on underground formations for storage.
Research has shown that isentropic efficiency for compressors as well as expanders are key determinants of the overall characteristics and efficiency of compressed air energy storage systems . Compressed air energy storage systems are sub divided into three categories: diabatic CAES systems, adiabatic CAES systems and isothermal CAES systems.
OverviewTypesCompressors and expandersStorageEnvironmental ImpactHistoryProjectsStorage thermodynamics
Compressed-air-energy storage (CAES) is a way to store energy for later use using compressed air. At a utility scale, energy generated during periods of low demand can be released during peak load periods. The first utility-scale CAES project was in the Huntorf power plant in Elsfleth, Germany, and is still operational as of 2024 . The Huntorf plant was initially developed as a load balancer for fossil-fuel-generated electricity