Compressed Air Energy Storage Installation for Renewable Energy Generation

Abstract

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) installations are used for storing electrical power, under the form of potential energy from compressed air. The heat generated during compression can be stored to improve the efficiency of compression-expansion cycle. The solution presented consists of a 100 kW screw compressor driven by a 110 kW asynchronous three-phase motor. The compressor supplies air into vessels which store it until a high electrical energy demand arises. At that time, the compressed air is released into a 132 kW screw expander whose shaft spins a 132 kW asynchronous generator, producing electric power and supplying it into the electrical grid. Before expansion, the air must be preheated in order to avoid the freezing of expansion equipment. If the heat generated during compression is used for air preheating before expansion, the process is adiabatic. A demonstrative model of the installation is currently being developed, with the expander part being completed so far. The maximum power to be produced was calculated to be around 100 kW. During expander commissioning tests with air supply from a 250 kW high pressure compressor, a maximum generated power of 49.7 kW was attained, expected to be higher when releasing air from the reservoirs.

Automation and Electrical Actuation of a Compressed Air Energy Storage Installation

“…Stocarea energiei electrice se referă la un proces de conversie a energiei electrice de la o rețea, într-o altă formă care poate fi stocată, și ulterior reconvertită atunci când este necesar [1]. Instalațiile CAES (Compressed Air Energy Storage), de stocare a energiei sub formă de aer comprimat [2][3][4][5][6], reprezintă o tehnică de conservare a energiei electrice pentru a face față cerințelor de consum în perioadele de vârf. Aceste instalații (Figura 1) sunt gândite ca soluție de rezervă pentru sursele de energie regenerabilă, cum ar fi turbinele eoliene și parcurile fotovoltaice.…”