Fuel-Free Compressed-Air Energy Storage

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Program:
GRIDS
Award:
$750,000
Location:
Newton, Massachusetts
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
09/13/2010 - 04/01/2011

Technology Description:

General Compression has developed a transformative, near-isothermal compressed air energy storage system (GCAES) that prevents air from heating up during compression and cooling down during expansion. When integrated with renewable generation, such as a wind farm, intermittent energy can be stored in compressed air in salt caverns or pressurized tanks. When electricity is needed, the process is reversed and the compressed air is expanded to produce electricity. Unlike conventional compressed air energy storage (CAES) projects, no gas is burned to convert the stored high-pressure air back into electricity. The result of this breakthrough is an ultra-efficient, fully shapeable, 100% renewable and carbon-free power product. The GCAES system can provide high quality electricity and ancillary services by effectively integrating renewables onto the grid at a cost that is competitive with gas, coal, and nuclear generation.

Potential Impact:

If successful, General Compression's compressed air energy storage system (GCAES) would enable large-scale integration of wind and other renewables onto the electric grid at a price, power quality, and grid reliability standard that could compete with or replace fossil fuel-based generation.

Security:

A more efficient and reliable grid would be more resilient to potential disruptions.

Environment:

Electricity generation accounts for over 40% of U.S. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Enabling large-scale contributions of wind and solar power for our electricity generation would result in a substantial decrease in CO2 emissions.

Economy:

Increases in the availability of wind and solar power would reduce fossil fuel demand, resulting in reduced fuel prices and more stable electricity rates.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Mark Johnson
Project Contact:
Mr. Eric Ingersoll
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
NULL

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Release Date:
03/02/2010