Air4NRG

CHALLENGE

Air4NRG will help address the growing need for stable and reliable long-term energy storage solutions to stabilise intermittent renewable generation due to increasing reliance on these energy sources. Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) has been a valid possible solution for decades. However, its poor energy efficiency, the need for fossil fuels to regenerate electricity, and the use of underground cavities as storage reservoirs have limited its development and use. Variations to CAES have shown low efficiency, losing much energy as heat and mechanical losses.

SOLUTION

This project will combine advanced research on the isothermal compression/expansion process with the development of a robust, industrial-grade gas compressor stored in a containerised form factor to develop a new long-term energy storage solution based on former CAES technology. Air4NRG will develop an Isothermal Compressed Air Energy Storage (Isothermal-CAES) system relying, among other things, on isothermal compression and expansion of air by liquid piston to solve the problems of the former CAES.

IMPACTS

Air4NRG will develop an Isothermal-CAES system with 200kW and 2MWh – a robust, industrial-grade gas compressor stored in a containerised form factor. The 70% Round Trip Efficiency, sustainability and integration into an Energy Management System will be proven by the end of the project through end-user integration activities (TRL5). The project will result in a plug-and-play prototype, fitting into a standard 40ft container with >10h of storage. The system developed will be a rare material-free solution with simple industrial infrastructure needs, allowing its full development within the EU and strengthening Europe’s position in the energy storage system sector.