Compressed air energy storage

Abstract

A system includes an air compression train, a compressed air storage, an air expansion train, a heat management subsystem, and a power transmission subsystem. The air compression train includes one or more compression stages with an aftercooler. The air expansion train includes one or more expansion stages with a preheater. The heat management subsystem includes a high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of a heat transfer fluid side of the aftercooler, a low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of and coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and positioned upstream of and coupled to a heat transfer side of the aftercooler, and a first heat transformer coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The power transmission subsystem includes a first heat management subsystem power coupling that couples to the first heat transformer.

Description

MCDR / 0087PC02 COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE BACKGROUND Field

[0001] This disclosure is related to the fields of power generation and energy storage. More specifically, this disclosure is related to methods and processes for utilizing compressible fluids to store and generate power. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) is a type of facility that takes advantage of a first period of power source surplus (for example, inexpensive fuel sources, grid power excess) or availability (for example, sunlight, robust winds, heavy waves, strong water currents) with a second period of power shortage (for example, expensive fuel sources, a dearth of grid power) or unavailability (for example, nighttime, calm winds and water currents). A CAES facility utilizes surplus power during the first period to compress air and store the compressed air in a closed volume. For practical compression, the air should be cooled after each stage of compression. During the second period, the CAES facility generates power from the stored compressed air by expanding the compressed air over a turbine that drives a power generator. In practical application, the stored air is at close to ambient temperature.

[0003] There are two well-appreciated CAES processes. One known concept is a diabatic CAES (D-CAES), which utilizes an external heat source to supply heat to the air that is expanded, producing power.

[0004] There is also an adiabatic CAES (A-CAES), which utilizes heat generated from the one or more air compressors, stores the heat in a heat retention medium, and utilizes the heat in the heat retention medium during a second period for air expansion. SUMMARY

[0005] In one embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes an air compression train, a compressed air storage coupled to the air compression train, an air expansion train coupled to the compressed air storage, a heat management subsystem that is coupled to the air compression train and the air expansion train, andMCDR / 0087PC02 a power transmission subsystem coupled to the air compression train, the heat management subsystem and the air expansion train. The air compression train includes one or more compression stages with an aftercooler. The air expansion train includes one or more expansion stages with a preheater. The heat management subsystem includes a high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, a lower temperature heat transfer fluid storage, and a first hat transformer. The high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage is positioned downstream of a heat transfer fluid side of the aftercooler. The low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is positioned downstream of and coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and is positioned upstream of and coupled to a heat transfer side of the aftercooler. The first heat transformer coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The power transmission subsystem includes a first heat management subsystem power coupling that couples to the first heat transformer.

[0006] In another embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes an air compression train, a compressed air storage coupled to the air compression train, an air expansion train coupled to the compressed air storage, a heat management subsystem that is coupled to the air compression train and the air expansion train, and a power transmission subsystem coupled to the air compression train, the heat management subsystem, and the air expansion train. The air compression train including one or more compression stages with an aftercooler. The air expansion train includes one or more expansion stages with a preheater. The heat management subsystem includes a high temperature heat transfer fluid storage, a low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, a medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, a first heat transformer, and a second heat transformer. The high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is positioned downstream of a heat transfer fluid side of the aftercoolers. The low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of and coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and positioned upstream of and coupled to the heat transfer side of the aftercoolers. The medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned upstream of and coupled to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and is positioned downstream of the heat transfer fluid side of the aftercoolers and the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The first heat transformer is coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The secondMCDR / 0087PC02 heat transformer is positioned downstream of and indirectly coupled to the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The power transmission subsystem includes a first heat management subsystem power coupling that couples the heat management subsystem to the first heat transformer, and a second heat management subsystem power coupling that couples the heat management subsystem to the second heat transformer.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes an air compression train, a compressed air storage couple to the air compression train, an air expansion trains coupled to the compressed air storage, a heat management subsystem coupled to the air compression train and the air expansion train, and a power transmission subsystem coupled to the air compression train, the heat management subsystem, and the air expansion train. The air compression train includes one or more compression stages with an aftercooler. The air expansion train includes one or more expansion stages with a preheater. The heat management subsystem includes a high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, a low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, and a first heat transformer. The high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is positioned downstream of a heat transfer fluid side of the aftercooler. The low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is positioned downstream of and coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and is positioned upstream of and couple to a heat transfer side of the aftercoolers. The first heat transformer is coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The power transmission subsystem includes a first heat management subsystem power coupling that couples to the first heat transformer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] So that the manner in which the recited features of the present disclosure may be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure may be had by reference to one or more embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only one or more of the several embodiments; therefore, the one or more embodiments provided in the Drawings are not to be considered limiting of the broadest interpretation of the detailed scope. Other effective embodiments as may be described in the Detailed Description may be considered part of the envisioned detailed scope.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a prior art adiabatic compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) system.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a first improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system, according to one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a second improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system, according to one or more embodiments.

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a third improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system, according to one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a fourth improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system, according to one or more embodiments.

[0014] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a fifth improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system, according to one or more embodiments.

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a sixth improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system, according to one or more embodiments.

[0016] In this disclosure, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” and the like do not refer to absolute directions; rather, these terms refer to positions relative to one unit or stream in comparison to another unit or stream, and indicate a direction of fluid flow. These non-specific positions may be vertical, horizontal, or other angular orientation in actual practice.

[0017] In this disclosure, the designation “ ‘ ” may represent that a property or a state relating to a condition has been modified from a previous condition.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0018] To facilitate understanding and better appreciation for the described scope, in some instances either identical or similar reference numerals have been used (where possible) to designate identical or similar elements, respectively, that are common in the various Drawings. One of skill in the art may appreciate that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in one or more other embodiments without further recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following disclosure, reference may be made to one or more embodiments. However, one of skill in the art appreciates that the disclosure is not limited to any specifically described embodiment. Rather, any combination of features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the one or more embodiments provided by the disclosure. Furthermore, although the one or more embodiments presented in the disclosure may achieve certain advantages over other possible solutions, the prior art (if existing), and combinations thereof, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limited by this disclosure. The aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages provided are merely illustrative, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. The aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages provided are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in one or more of the Claims. Likewise, one of skill in the art should not construe a reference to “the disclosure” as a generalization of any disclosed subject matter.

[0020] There are distinct implementation issues with a purely adiabatic CAES (A- CAES). A-CAES requires a sizable and efficient heat storage facility for the high- temperature heat transfer fluid and a controllable system to manage the heat flows. There are significant issues not only with the large amounts of energy transferred into and out of the storage facility, but also with the variance in the amount and quality of the heat generated by the compression portion of the system and with the ability to retain the heat captured from the compression portion of the system due to the sheer size of the heat storage.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0021] In regards to a diabatic CAES (D-CAES), fuels are used to provide the heat for the air expansion portion of the system. Often, these fuels are converted to heat using a fired heater or gas turbine, which create carbon dioxide (CO2) and other harmful emissions. These emissions defeat the strong potential for these types of compressed air systems to provide storage for sustainable power sources free from CO2emissions. As an alternative, hydrogen (H2) firing may also be considered; however, there is always a question about the source of hydrogen, especially if the hydrogen originates or is processed along with other hydrocarbons, again defeating the environmental potential of such CAES systems.

[0022] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more embodiments of improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) systems. Each IA- CAES is a hybrid configuration where each embodiment system operates as adiabatic compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) system in a first mode of operation, while air is compressed. To improve the quality and quantity of the stored heat, manipulations of the heat stored during the first mode of operation are done in a second mode of operation. The second mode of operation uses power to drive the heat manipulations. This power may be imported from the grid or released from power stored in the system. Manipulations of the quality and quantity of the stored heat increase the flexibility and efficiency of a third mode of operation, while power is generated from expansion of the stored compressed air and stored heat. This, thus, reduces the dependency between the first and third mode of operation, while increasing power generation capacity and duration in the third mode of operation. The manipulations of the stored heat use a heat transformer, such as a heat pump. The first and second modes of operation may overlap in certain instances based upon system configuration, system operation, or both. The second and third modes of operation may overlap in certain instances based upon system configuration, system operation, or both. No hydrocarbon-based fuel is used in either the first mode, the second mode, or the third mode of operation.

[0023] Embodiment of the systems may be described as having three different modes of operation. A first mode of operation (an air charge mode) provides both compressed air and heat for storage using available power from the grid. This is mainly performed by the air compression train in support with the heat managementMCDR / 0087PC02 subsystem. Using power from the grid, air is taken from the atmosphere and pressurized by a single-stage compressor with after cooling or a multi-stage compressor with interstage cooling and with after cooling, to a storage pressure. The pressurized air is routed to a storage facility, for example, a natural or artificial cavern. Compression stage aftercoolers (e.g., aftercoolers) use a heat transfer fluid at a relatively low temperature to cool the air after compression. The aftercoolers recover the generated heat of compression and make heated heat transfer fluid for later use, such as during a third mode of operation. The generated heat is stored in one or more heat transfer fluid storages, and any excess heat that cannot be stored is rejected to atmosphere. The systems associated with the first mode of operation may have a plurality of parallel trains for operational flexibility.

[0024] Practical IA-CAES systems will generate more heat during the first mode of operation than can be used in the third mode of operation. Excess heat is rejected to atmosphere to heat balance the system. The heat that is used in the third mode of operation is recovered from the air compression in the first mode of operation and stored at the highest achievable temperature. When the high temperature heat transfer fluid storage capacity is less than the amount of heat generated in the first mode, the excess heat that cannot be stored is rejected to atmosphere. In some embodiments, the excess heat may be deferred to an alternative heat storage of the IA-CAES system to retain the generated heat at a temperature between the high temperature heat transfer fluid storage and ambient. Using such medium-temperature storage, the excess heat may be retained to be used in the second mode.

[0025] A second mode of operation (a heat charge mode) maintains or upgrades the quality of the heat stored in a heat transfer fluid during the first mode of operation. Heat storages, such as the low-, medium-, and high-temperature heat transfer fluid storages are used to either or both store heat in a heat transfer fluid or use stored heat transfer fluid and power to upgrade the quality of the stored heat. Such upgrading of stored heat transfer fluid may utilize available power from the grid to power heat sources, such as heat transformer devices, such as one or more heat pumps. Heat is stored in the heat transfer fluid at a relatively high temperature that is suitable for introduction into the preheaters for the air expansion train while in the third mode. InMCDR / 0087PC02 one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the system may be operated such that the first mode overlaps with the second mode.

[0026] A heat transformer is a heat transfer device that improves the quality of an available flowing or stored heat transfer fluid, or generates an additional quantity of a specific quality of heat from an alternative energy source. A heat transformer, such as a heat pump driven by a power source, extracts heat from a heat transfer fluid at a relatively low temperature level (for example, from the environment, from a low- temperature heat transfer fluid, or from a medium-temperature heat transfer fluid). The extracted heat is transferred from the heat pump into a second fluid, generally using a compressor, such that the second fluid has an improved quality (that is, a relatively higher temperature). The heat pump used can be any type or combination of types, including but not limited to a mechanical driven or compression closed loop type, an absorption closed loop heat pump, or an open loop mechanical vapor compression type. The heat pump of any type can have a single-stage or multi-stage loop.

[0027] An electrical heater is a heat transformer that generates high-temperature heat from electrical power without the use of a low-temperature heat source. The electrical heater supplies the high-temperature heat to a lower temperature heat transfer fluid to improve the quality of this heat transfer fluid and thus generate a relatively higher temperature heat transfer fluid. An electrical heater essentially can be regarded as a heat pump with minimum efficiency (coefficient of performance (COP) of unity).

[0028] The power for the heat transformer may originate from a variety of systems, including external power grid or an internal power grid based, upon additional recovery of energy, such as from excess heat or additional pressure drop from compressed fluids, and converted into power or directly applied to provide the heat transformer driving force. For example, a heat pump may be driven either by power imported from an external grid or by power generated from the expansion of compressed air from the compressed air storage during the third mode. A dedicated expander driver on the heat pump may also be used.

[0029] If the relatively hot heat transfer fluid in a heat storages or one of the relatively intermediate temperature heat storages is not fully filled or the quality of theMCDR / 0087PC02 heat transfer fluid is degrading (that is, the temperature is reduced), the quantity and quality of the heat transfer fluid may be improved during the second mode. In some embodiment systems, heat may also be stored at one or more intermediate temperatures (that is, a temperature greater than a relatively low temperature, such as ambient temperatures, and less than a relatively high temperature, such as a temperature associated with preheating compressed air being discharged during the third mode) in a heat transfer fluid storage designed to retain heat transfer fluid at an intermediary temperature.

[0030] The third mode of operation (an air discharge mode) directs stored, high pressure air from the air storage system to the air expansion train. The air storage system was filled during the first mode of operation. Preheaters utilize high- temperature heat transfer fluid from the heat management subsystem to heat the air before expansion. In passing through an air expander, the temperature of the partially- decompressed air is reduced. Each preheater transfers heat into the air in the air expansion train before passing through another expander stage. The cooled heating medium from the preheater is recovered and stored in relatively low temperature storage. Each preheater may be a single exchanger using the relatively hot heat transfer fluid or by a series of exchangers. Preheating and expansion of the decompressing air is done until a final expansion occurs in the final expansion stage to near atmospheric pressure.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the system may be operated such that the third mode overlaps with the second mode. The second mode may be operated during the third mode to have simultaneous production of the heat required for expansion in case the heat transfer fluid in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is exhausted or not available. The heat source, such as an electric heater or a heat pump, should be configured to produce the heat to generate the hot heat transfer fluid at the relatively high temperature.

[0032] A greater storage of heat in the form of a higher temperature may be used to preheat air during the third mode to increase the power output per amount of air expanded. Power generation potential is a sum of air stored at relative higher pressureMCDR / 0087PC02 (that is, greater than atmospheric conditions), with higher pressure giving greater power generation potential and heat stored in heat transfer fluid at relative higher temperatures (that is higher than ambient conditions) give greater power generation potential during air expansion.

[0033] One of the benefits of the embodiment systems is that given the power source for compression, it is feasible that the embodiment systems are not associated with any discharge or production of carbon dioxide (CO2). If the generation of the imported power uses renewable (carbon-emission free) or sustainable (carbon neutral) power production resources, one may find that the entire operation is carbon emission free or neutral. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the system is configured such that there are no carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the operation of the system.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a prior art adiabatic compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) system. System 1000 includes several subsystems coupled with one another, including air compression train 1100, compressed air storage 1200, air expansion train 1300, power transmission subsystem 1400, and heat management subsystem 1500.

[0035] System 1000 has several fluid and power import and export conduits. Air feed conduit 1102 introduces air at atmospheric conditions into an upstream portion of the air compression train 1100. Air exhaust conduit 1304 discharges previously compressed air into the atmosphere from a downstream portion of the air expansion train 1300. There are condensed water headers 1160, 1360, respectively, that collect and discharge knocked out water from the air compression train 1100 and the front of the air expansion train 1300, respectively. There is also power conduit 1450 that couples to an exterior power resource (not shown). The power conduit 1450 is configured such that the power conduit 1450 may both convey power into the system 1000 during a period of air compression and storage charge and out from the system 1000 during a period of compressed air discharge and power generation.

[0036] As provided in Figure 1, air compression train 1100 is shown having a series of air compressors 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116, coupled together in series along a compressed air header 1104. The first or lead air compressor 1110 receives theMCDR / 0087PC02 introduced air from air feed conduit 1102. Coupled downstream of each air compressor 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116, along the compressed air header 1104 is an aftercooler 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126, respectively, to remove heat from the hot, compressed air discharged from each respective air compressor 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116, forming cooled, compressed air. Coupled downstream of each aftercooler 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126, along the compressed air header 1104 is a knock-out pot 1130, 1132, 1134, and 1136, respectively, to remove condensed liquid water from the cooled, compressed air, forming cooled, compressed air. From the last or trailing knock-out pot 1136, the cooled, compressed air passes out of the air compression train 1100 and is directed towards the compressed air storage 1200 using the compressed air header 1104.

[0037] There are additional couplings to each unit in air compression train 1100. Each air compressor 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116, is shown in Figure 1 coupled to the common power conduit 1450 using power supply extension 1452 such that each air compressor 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116, receives power. Each aftercooler 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126, is shown coupled downstream of the cool heat transfer fluid header 1140 (using feed line 1142) and coupled upstream of the heated heat transfer fluid return header 1150 (using return line 1152). Each aftercooler 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126, is configured to receive cooling heat transfer fluid from the cool heat transfer fluid header 1140, transfer heat from the hot, compressed air into the introduced cooling heat transfer fluid such that a heated heat transfer medium forms, and pass the heated heat transfer fluid to the heated heat transfer fluid return header 1150. The cool heat transfer fluid header 1140 and the heated heat transfer fluid return header 1150 are fluidly coupled to units in the heat management subsystem 1500, which will be described in more detail forthcoming. Each knock-out pot 1130, 1132, 1134, and 1136, is shown coupled to the condensed water header 1160, which passes condensed water out of the air compression train 1100 and the system 1000, using the drain line 1162.

[0038] Compressed air header 1104 introduces the cooled, compressed air from air compression train 1100 into compressed air storage 1200. Compressed air header 1104 is fluidly coupled to air storage header 1250, which is configured to receive cooled, compressed air during a period of air compression and storage charge. FigureMCDR / 0087PC02 1 provides a compressed air storage facility 1260, such as an underground cavern, fluidly coupled with air storage header 1250 such that the cooled, compressed air may be introduced into the compressed air storage facility 1260 and maintained there for an indefinite period as stored, compressed air.

[0039] As provided in Figure 1, air storage header 1250 is also coupled to compressed air intake conduit 1302, which passes the stored, compressed air from compressed air storage 1200 into air expansion train 1300 during a period of compressed air discharge and power generation.

[0040] Air expansion train 1300 in Figure 1 has a series of air expanders 1310, 1312, 1314, and 1316, coupled together in series along the air exhaust conduit 1304. Coupled upstream of each air expander 1310, 1312, 1314, and 1316, along the air exhaust conduit 1304 is a preheater 1320, 1322, 1324, and 1326, respectively, that provides heat into the air feed before each respective air expander 1310, 1312, 1314, and 1316. Coupled upstream of the first or lead air expander 1310 along the air exhaust conduit 1304 is a knock-out drum 1336 to prevent any entrained liquid water that may originate from the compressed air storage 1200 from entering the first or lead air expander 1310. From the last or trailing air expander 1316, the exhausted, decompressed air passes out of the air expansion train 1300 and from the system 1000 through air exhaust conduit 1304.

[0041] There are additional couplings to each unit in air expansion train 1300. Each air expander 1310, 1312, 1314, and 1316, is shown in Figure 1 coupled to the common power conduit 1450 using power return extension 1454 such that each air expander 1310, 1312, 1314, and 1316, may introduce generated power into the power transmission subsystem 1400 from expansion of the compressed air. Each preheater 1320, 1322, 1324, and 1326 is shown coupled downstream of the heated heat transfer fluid header 1340 (using feed line 1342) and coupled upstream of the cooled heat transfer fluid return header 1350 (using return line 1352). Each preheater 1320, 1322, 1324, and 1326, is configured to receive heating heat transfer fluid from the heated heat transfer fluid header 1340, transfer heat to the cold, compressed air prior to expansion such that a cool heat transfer fluid forms, and pass the cooled heat transfer fluid to the cooled heat transfer fluid return header 1350. The heated heat transferMCDR / 0087PC02 fluid header 1340 and the cooled heat transfer fluid return header 1350 are fluidly coupled to units in the heat management subsystem 1500, which will be described in more detail forthcoming. The knock-out drum 1336 is coupled to the condensed water header 1360, which passes condensed water out of the air expansion train 1300 and the system 1000, using the drain line 1362.

[0042] System 1000 as shown in Figure 1 includes heat management subsystem 1500. In an A-CAES system, the heat generated by the air compression train 1100 in increasing the pressure and temperature while decreasing the volume of air is extracted from the air compression train 1100 to improve the overall efficiency of compressing the air at each compression stage. Some of the recovered heat is then applied to the compressed air at each stage of expansion as the compressed air decompresses through air expansion train 1300. A heat transfer fluid is transferred around the heat management subsystem 1500 such that a relative cooler heat transfer fluid is provided to the air compression train 1100 and a hotter heat transfer fluid is provided to the air expansion train 1300.

[0043] Heat management subsystem 1500 is shown in Figure 1 comprising a high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1560 and a low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1562. The two heat transfer fluid storages 1560, 1562 are fluidly coupled to one another through the cool heat transfer fluid header 1140 and the heated heat transfer fluid return header 1150 of the air compression train 1100 via the aftercoolers 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126. Cooling heat transfer fluid feed line 1508 introduces heat transfer fluid from the low-temperature fluid heat transfer fluid storage 1562 to the cool heat transfer fluid header 1140, and hot return line 1502 introduces heat transfer fluid to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1560.

[0044] The two heat transfer fluid storages 1560, 1562 of the heat management subsystem 1500 are also fluidly coupled to one another through the heated heat transfer fluid header 1340 and the cool heat transfer fluid return header 1350 of the air expansion train 1300 via the preheaters 1320, 1322, 1324, and 1326. Hot heat transfer fluid feed line 1506 introduces heat transfer fluid from the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1560 to the heated heat transfer fluid header 1340, and a cooledMCDR / 0087PC02 heat transfer fluid return 1504 directs heat transfer fluid towards the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1562.

[0045] The two heat transfer fluid storages 1560, 1562 of the heat management subsystem 1500 are also fluidly coupled to one another through heat management subsystem 1500 internal flow conduits. Hot heat transfer fluid reject line 1510 originates at the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1560 and passes an amount of hot heat transfer fluid towards the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1562. The heat transfer fluid in hot heat transfer fluid reject line 1510 and the heat transfer fluid in the cool heat transfer fluid return 1504 combine to form an excess heat exchanger inlet line 1512, which is introduced into an excess heat cooler 1580. The excess heat cooler 1580, which in Figure 1 is shown in a cooling fan configuration, transfers heat from the introduced heat transfer fluid on the tube side into the ambient air pulled through the exchanger on the fan side. Excess heat passes into the atmosphere and is rejected. The heat transfer fluid passing from the excess heat cooler 1580 is introduced into the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1562 via a cooled heat transfer fluid return line 1514.

[0046] The two heat transfer fluid storages 1560, 1562 of the heat management subsystem 1500 are configured to be in a closed heat transfer fluid loop. The closed heat transfer loop includes the two heat transfer fluid storages 1560 and 1562, the cool heat transfer fluid header 1140, the heated heat transfer fluid return header 1150, and the heat transfer fluid side of the aftercoolers 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126 of the air compression train 1100, the heated heat transfer fluid header 1340 and the cooled heat transfer fluid return header 1350, and the heat transfer fluid side of the preheaters 1320, 1322, 1324, 1326 of the air expansion train 1300, the cooling heat transfer fluid feed line 1508, the hot return line 1502, the hot heat transfer fluid feed line 1506, the cooled heat transfer fluid return 1504, the hot heat transfer fluid reject line 1510, the excess heat exchanger inlet line 1512, the cool heat transfer fluid return line 1514 and the heat transfer fluid side of the excess heat cooler 1580. The two heat transfer fluid storages 1560 and 1562 are in communication with each other, such that an amount of heat transfer fluid mass extracted from one storage will give an equal amount of supply of heat transfer fluid mass to the other storage. The closed heat transfer fluid loop is heat balanced such that, over time, the amount of energy in the form of heatMCDR / 0087PC02 and power supplied to the loop is equal to the amount of energy in the form of heat extracted from the loop. Heat supply to the loop establishes a heat flow into the loop such that the supplied heat always has to be at a higher supply temperature than the heat transfer fluid receiving the heat. Heat extraction from the loop establishes a heat flow from the loop such that the temperature of the sink fluid that receives the heat is lower than the temperature of the heat transfer fluid that supplies the heat.

[0047] The low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1562 provides a cold heat sink storage capacity such that the low-temperature heat transfer fluid stored in the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1562 allows receipt of heat. The temperature of the heat supplied is higher than the temperature of the heated cooling heat transfer fluid. The high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1560 provides a hot heat supply storage capacity. The high-temperature heat transfer fluid stored in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1560 allows supply of heat when extracted such that the temperature of the heat supplied by the hot heat transfer fluid is higher than the temperature of the heat sink fluid that receives the heat. The heat transfer fluid storages 1560 and 1562 are configured to perform as hot and cold heat battery facility. The facility can be charged to maximum hot heating capacity while leaving minimum cooling capacity and can be discharged to minimum hot heating capacity while allowing maximum cooling capacity. The charge level of the hot heating capacity and related cold cooling capacity can be maintained for an indefinite period while both compression and expansion trains are idle. The amount and temperature level of the high-temperature heat transfer fluid stored in storage 1560 results from supplied amount and temperature level of the cold cooling heat transfer fluid and the amount and quality of heat supplied by the air compression train 1100 through the aftercoolers 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126 that produce the high-temperature heat transfer fluid. The temperature level of the low-temperature heat transfer fluid stored in low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage 1562 results from the amount and temperature of the supplied hot heat transfer fluid and the amount heat extracted by the air expansion train 1300 through the preheaters 1320, 1322, 1324, 1326 and the heat extracted by the excess heat cooler 1580 that produces the low-temperature heat transfer fluid.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0048] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system 2000.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, a system includes an air compression train configured to receive an atmospheric air feed flow and a first amount of power and to produce a cooled, compressed air flow. The system also includes a compressed air storage coupled to the air compression train and configured to receive the cooled, compressed air flow; maintain the cooled, compressed air as a stored, compressed air for an indefinite period; and produce the stored, compressed air. The system 2000 also includes an air expansion train coupled to the compressed air storage and configured to receive the stored, compressed air flow and produce an exhausted, decompressed air flow and a second amount of power. The system also includes a heat management subsystem that is coupled to the air compression train and configured to receive a heated heat transfer fluid flow from, and provide a low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to, the air compression train. The heat management subsystem is also coupled to the air expansion train and configured to receive a cooled heat transfer fluid flow from, and provide a high-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to, the air expansion train. The heat management subsystem includes a high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, a low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, and a first heat transformer. The high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is positioned and coupled downstream of the heat transfer fluid side of the aftercoolers of the air compression train. Meanwhile, the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage vessel is positioned and coupled upstream of the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. A first heat transformer is thermally and fluidly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The system also includes a power transmission subsystem that is coupled to the air compression train, the heat management subsystem, and the air expansion train. The power transmission subsystem is configured to provide power to the air compression train and the heat management subsystem, and is also configured to receive power from the air expansion train. The power transmission subsystem has a first coupling to the first heat transformer in the heat management subsystem.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is operated such that the heatMCDR / 0087PC02 management subsystem is maintained in a range of from about 0°C to about 400°C. The high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage may operate between about 90°C to about 400°C. The low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage may operate between about 0°C to about 60°C.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is operated such that the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage is maintained in a range of from about 90°C to 400°C, such as about 200°C.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is operated such that the low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage is maintained at a temperature in a range of from about 20° to 60°C, such as about 30°C.

[0053] The power transmission subsystem may use one or more configurations to transmit power through, into, and out of the embodiment system. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the first amount of power is greater than or equal to the second amount of power. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the power transmission subsystem is configured to receive and provide power electrically. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the power transmission subsystem is configured to receive and provide power hydraulically. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the power transmission subsystem is configured to receive and provide power pneumatically. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the power transmission subsystem is configured to receive and provide power mechanically. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the power transmission subsystem is configured to receive and provide power as selected from the group comprising electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, and combinations thereof.

[0054] In Figure 2, power transmission subsystem 2400 is shown with a first power supply extension 2456 directed into the heat management subsystem 2500. The firstMCDR / 0087PC02 power supply extension 2456 couples to a first heat pump 2570, which is a heat transformer, to be described further.

[0055] The configuration of an embodiment heat management subsystem, such as heat management subsystem 2500, may include elements that permit not only recovery of heat from heat transfer fluid that in a prior art system would have been rejected, but also introduce the recovered heat into an already high-temperature heat transfer fluid to further improve its quality (that is, increase its temperature). The heat management subsystem 2500 may increase the specific heat potential of the hot heat transfer fluid (that is, the heat that can be supplied per unit mass of heat transfer fluid), and may further improve the efficiency of the air expansion train, thereby increasing specific power generation potential (that is, power that can be generated per unit mass of stored air) from the overall system.

[0056] The heat transfer fluid may be stable fluid, either gas or liquid, with sensible heat properties for the temperature range used. Examples of potentially useful heat transfer fluids include, but are not limited to, water, especially boiler-feed quality water and water condensed from the atmosphere, ethylene glycol, mixtures of ethylene glycol and water, salt-water brines and brackish water, mineral oils, silicones, and synthetic oils, such as Therminol™ (Solutia, Inc.; St. Louis, Missouri) and Dowterm™ (The Dow Chemical Company; Midland, Michigan).

[0057] Furthermore, improving the quality of the high-temperature heat transfer fluid by reusing heat that may have been previously rejected may permit a relatively smaller amount of stored air and high-temperature heat transfer fluid to be used while generating the same amount of power.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the first heat transformer is directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and indirectly coupled to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. “Directly coupled” indicates that the heat transfer apparatus is in an isolated fluid flow loop with the storage. In this instance, the first heat transformer is thermally and fluidly directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. As shown in Figure 2, the heat management subsystem 2500 of embodiment system 2000 includes a first heat transformer, such as a first heat pump 2570, whichMCDR / 0087PC02 is both thermally and fluidly directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560. “Indirectly coupled” indicates that the heat transfer apparatus is not in an isolated fluid flow loop with the storage. In this instance, the heat transfer apparatus is fluidly indirectly coupled to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; the heat transfer fluid flow where heat is extracted does not originate from the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage itself.

[0059] The first heat pump 2570 is a heat transfer apparatus that is configured to draw high-temperature heat transfer fluid directly from the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560 through heat pump draw line 2520. The drawn heat transfer fluid passes into first heat pump 2570, where it receives a quantity of heat, thereby increasing its temperature. The improved quality heat transfer fluid is directly returned to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560 through heat pump output line 2520’, thereby improving the overall quality (that is, increasing the temperature) of the heat transfer fluid in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560. The heat pump used can be any type or combination of types, including but not limited to a mechanical driven or compression closed loop type, an absorption closed loop heat pump, or an open loop mechanical vapor compression type. The heat pump of any type can have a single-stage or multi-stage loop.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that the heated heat transfer fluid flow directed towards the heat management subsystem from the air compression train is bifurcated into a first portion and a second portion of heated heat transfer fluid flow. Both the first portion and the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow directed towards the heat management subsystem from the air compression train are introduced into the first heat transformer. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the first portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow from the air compression train is directed into the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid directed towards the heat management subsystem from the air compression train is directed into the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the first heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the second portion of heated heatMCDR / 0087PC02 transfer fluid flow from the air compression train and transfer the extracted heat directly into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The heat transferred into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is obtained from a portion of heated heat transfer fluid flow that is directed to bypass around the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. In Figure 2, system 2000 has hot return line 2502 bifurcated upstream of the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560 into a hot supply main line 2516, which couples to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560, and a hot return bypass line 2518, which couples to the inlet of the first heat pump 2570. Heat is extracted from the heated heat transfer fluid flow introduced through the hot return bypass line 2518 into the first heat pump 2570 and produces a reduced temperature (e.g., a reduced quality) heat transfer fluid that passes from the first heat pump 2570. The reduced temperature heat exchanged fluid flow in the reduced temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 2518’ merges with heat transfer fluid passed through the hot heat transfer fluid reject line 2510 into the combined hot heat transfer fluid reject line 2522. After merging, the combined hot heat transfer fluid reject line 2522 heat transfer fluid with the cooled return line 2504 heat transfer fluid, the excess heat exchanger inlet line 2512 is introduced into the excess heat cooler 2580, which is similar to the excess heat cooler 1580 as previously described.

[0061] Although Figure 2 shows air compression train 2100 having four sets of compressors, aftercoolers, and knock-out pots, an air compression train for an embodiment system may include any number of such sets to achieve the charge flow of compressed air at a desired storage pressure. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the air compressor train includes a single set of a compressor, an aftercoolers, and a knock-out pot fluidly coupled along a compressed air header. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the air compressor train includes a plurality of sets of compressors, aftercoolers, and knock-out pots, fluidly coupled along a compressed air header.

[0062] Although not shown in Figure 2, there may be embodiment system configuration variations that depend in part on the configuration of one or more separate air compression trains. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, a system may include a plurality of separate airMCDR / 0087PC02 compression trains. In essence, the system may include parallel air compression trains that operate independently of one another, such as when a first compression train may operate and a second compression train does not. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, each air compression train is coupled to a common compressed air storage, power transmission subsystem, and heat management subsystem. That is, the plurality of parallel compression trains provide compressed air to the same compressed air storage, receive power from the same power transmission subsystem, and are fluidly coupled to the same heat management subsystem. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, each air compression train is coupled to a non-shared portion of the system, where the non-shared portion of the system is selected from the group consisting of compressed air storage, power transmission subsystem, heat management subsystem, and combinations thereof. For example, a plurality of air compression trains may feed into a common compressed air storage, but for logistical or power production reasons the power transmission subsystem and heat management subsystem are separate for each air compression train and are not shared.

[0063] Although Figure 2 shows air expansion train 2300 having four sets of expanders and preheaters, an air expansion train for an embodiment system may include any number of such sets to achieve the desired amount of power production from the letdown amount of the stored, compressed air. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the air expansion train includes a single set of a preheater and an expander fluidly coupled along an air exhaust conduit. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the air expansion train includes a plurality of sets of preheaters and expanders fluidly coupled along an air exhaust conduit.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the system is configured such that the number of air compressors in the air compression train is different than the number of air expanders in the air expansion train.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0065] Although not shown in Figure 2, there may be embodiment system configuration variations that depend in part on the configuration of one or more separate air expansion trains. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, a system may include a plurality of separate air expansion trains. In essence, the system may include parallel air expansion trains that operate independently of one another, such as when a first expansion train may operate and a second expansion train does not. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, each air expansion train is coupled to a common compressed air storage, power transmission subsystem, and heat management subsystem. That is, the plurality of parallel expansion trains let down compressed air from the same compressed air storage, provide power to the same power transmission subsystem, and are fluidly coupled to the same heat management subsystem. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, each air expansion train is coupled to a non-shared portion of the system, where the non- shared portion of the system is selected from the group consisting of compressed air storage, power transmission subsystem, heat management subsystem, and combinations thereof. For example, a plurality of air expansion trains may draw compressed air from a common compressed air storage, but for logistical or power production reasons the power transmission subsystem and heat management subsystem are separate for each air expansion train and are not shared.

[0066] Although Figure 2 shows compressed air storage 2200 having a single compressed air storage facility 2260, a compressed air storage for an embodiment system may include any number of such compressed air storage facilities fluidly coupled along a common air storage header. A configuration with a plurality of compressed air storage facilities allow extension of the compressed air storage capacity beyond the maximum storage capacity per unit storage, and thereby may provide flexibility to the operator of such a system to operate the air compressor train for longer periods of favorable, sustainable power production periods (for example, periods of high winds or solar power production) to exploit a prolonged period of lower exterior power costs or in preparation for a forecasted longer period of reduced or disabled power production, and thereby may provide flexibility to the operator of the system to operate the air expander train for longer periods, to exploit the benefits ofMCDR / 0087PC02 higher power export revenues, or secure power supply to end users. One or more of a plurality of compressed air storage facilities may be held at pressure and content as an “emergency reserve” to provide power generation capability during a period of an unexpected acute event, such as a disaster, when other power producers may be off- line or reduced capacity and power demand is significant. As well, multiple air storage facilities permit “cost averaging” in an attempt to match power production with market pricing. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the compressed air storage includes a single compressed air storage facility. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the compressed air storage includes a plurality of compressed air storage facilities fluidly coupled along a common air storage header.

[0067] Although Figure 2 shows a single low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2562 and high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560. The low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2562 and high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560 for an embodiment system may include any number of such low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2562 and high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 2560 facilities fluidly coupled along a common heat transfer fluid storage header. A configuration with a plurality of heat transfer fluid storage facilities allow extension of the heat transfer fluid storage capacity beyond the maximum storage capacity per storage unit that is available, and thereby may provide flexibility described above. One or more of a plurality of high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage facilities may be held at high storage level as an “emergency reserve” to provide power generation capability during a period of an unexpected acute event, such as a disaster, when other power producers may be off-line or reduced capacity and power demand is significant. As well, multiple heat transfer fluid storage facilities permit “cost averaging” in an attempt to match power production with market pricing. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat transfer fluid storage comprises a single heat transfer fluid storage facility. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat transfer fluid storage comprises a plurality of heat transfer fluid storage facilities fluidly coupled along a common heat transfer fluid storage header.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0068] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system. Embodiment system 3000 has several configuration differences with system 1000 of Figure 1, especially in the power transmission subsystem and the heat management subsystem.

[0069] In Figure 3, power transmission subsystem 3400 is shown with a first power supply extension 3456 directed into the heat management subsystem 3500. The first power supply extension 3456 couples to an electrical heater 3572, which is a first heat transformer.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the first heat transformer is an electrical heater that is directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. As shown in Figure 3, the heat management subsystem 3500 of embodiment system 3000 includes a heat transformer that is both thermally and fluidly directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 3560. Electrical heater 3572 is configured to draw high- temperature heat transfer fluid from the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 3560 through electrical heater draw line 3520. The to-be-improved heat transfer fluid passes into electrical heater 3572, where it receives a quantity of heat and its temperature increases. The now improved heat transfer fluid passes back into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 3560 through electrical heater output line 3520’, thereby improving the overall quality (that is, increasing the temperature) of the heat transfer fluid in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 3560.

[0071] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an embodiment improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system. Embodiment system 4000 has several configuration differences with system 1000 of Figure 1, especially in the power transmission subsystem and the heat management subsystem.

[0072] In Figure 4, power transmission subsystem 4400 is shown with a first power supply extension 4456 directed into the heat management subsystem 4500. The first power supply extension 4456 couples to a first heat pump 4570, which is a first heat transformer, to be described further.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0073] As shown in Figure 4, the heat management subsystem 4500 of embodiment system 4000 includes a first heat transformer, such as first heat pump 4570 that is thermally and fluidly directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 4560. First heat pump 4570 and its relationship with the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 4560 is similar in purpose and configuration to first heat pump 2570 as previously described and shown in Figure 2.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, where the heat management subsystem is configured such that the heat transformer is directly coupled to both the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. In this instance, the first heat transformer is both thermally and fluidly directly coupled to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. First heat pump 4570 in embodiment system 4000 is also configured to draw low-temperature heat transfer fluid from the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 4562 through heat pump draw line 4524. The drawn heat transfer fluid passes into first heat pump 4570, where it extracts a quantity of heat, thereby decreasing its temperature. The diminished quality heat transfer fluid is returned to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 4562 through heat pump output line 4524’, thereby decreasing the overall quality (that is, reducing the temperature) of the heat transfer fluid in the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 4562.

[0075] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an embodiment improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system. Embodiment system 5000 has several configuration differences with system 1000 of Figure 1, especially in the power transmission subsystem and the heat management subsystem, which permits embodiment systems, such as system 5000, improve the quality of the heat exchange fluid in the high-temperature heat exchange fluid storage.

[0076] In Figure 5, power transmission subsystem 5400 is shown with first power supply extension 5456 directed into the heat management subsystem 5500. First power supply extension 5456 couples to first heat pump 5570, which is a first heat transformer, to be described further.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem 5500 is configured such that the firstMCDR / 0087PC02 heat transformer is indirectly coupled to both the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that the heated heat transfer fluid flow directed towards the heat management subsystem from the air compression train is bifurcated into a first portion and a second portion of heated heat transfer fluid flow. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that both the first portion and the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow directed towards the heat management subsystem from the air compression train are introduced into the first heat transformer, where the first heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow and transfer the extracted heat into the first portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that the first portion of heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed towards the low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage. As shown in Figure 5, system 5000 has hot return line 5502 introduced from air compressor train 5100 into heat management subsystem 5500. Hot return line 5502 is then bifurcated upstream of the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage 5560 in a somewhat similar way as previously shown with system 2000 of Figure 2. The bifurcated streams include a hot supply main line 5516, which is directed towards the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 5560, and a hot return bypass line 5518, which is directed towards the low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage 5562. The first heat pump 5570 is configured such that heat is transferred from the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow in the hot return bypass line 5518, forming a reduced temperature heat transfer fluid flow in the reduced temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 5518’, and transferred into the first portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow traversing the hot supply main line 5516, forming an improved heat transfer fluid flow in the improved hot supply main line 5516’. The improved heat transfer fluid flow is introduced into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 5560, thereby improving the quality of theMCDR / 0087PC02 heat transfer fluid stored. The reduced heat transfer fluid flow in the reduced temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 5518’ combines with hot heat transfer fluid passed from the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 5560 through the hot heat transfer fluid reject line 5510, forming a combined rejected heat transfer fluid flow in the combined hot heat transfer fluid reject line 5522. Similar to as previously described, combined rejected heat transfer fluid flow in the combined hot heat transfer fluid reject line 5522 and cooled heat transfer fluid flow with the cooled heat transfer fluid return line 5504 are combined in the excess heat exchanger inlet line 5512 and introduced into excess heat cooler 5580.

[0079] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is operated such that no heat transfer fluid flows through a hot heat transfer fluid reject line 5510 coupled to the high- tempeature heat transfer fluid storage.

[0080] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of an embodiment improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system. Embodiment system 6000 has several configuration differences with system 5000 of Figure 5, especially in the power transmission subsystem and the heat management subsystem.

[0081] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the power transmission subsystem further includes a second power coupling directed to and coupled with a second heat transformer in the heat management subsystem. In Figure 6, power transmission subsystem 6400 is shown with both a first power supply extension 6456 and a second power supply extension 6458 directed into the heat management subsystem 6500. First power supply extension 6456 couples to a first heat pump 6570, which is a first heat transformer, and second power supply extension 6458 couples to a second heat pump 6574, which is a second heat transformer, to be described further.

[0082] The system also includes a heat management subsystem that is configured such that the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is also fluidly coupled with a medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, where the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is also positioned upstream of and coupled to the low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage. In one or more embodiments, which may beMCDR / 0087PC02 combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that the first portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow directed towards the heat management subsystem from the air compression train is directed into the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed towards the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. The heat management subsystem 6500 has a first heat transformer, which is first heat pump 6570, with a similar heat pump and conduit configuration as previously described in heat management subsystem 5500 of Figure 5, except as shown in Figure 6 where in system 6000 that the combined hot heat transfer fluid reject line 6522 is routed to the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6564.

[0083] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem includes a second heat transformer, where the second heat transformer is indirectly fluidly coupled to both the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that the medium- temperature heat transfer fluid storage produces a medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow is bifurcated into a first portion of medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow that is directed towards the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and a second portion of medium- temperature heat transfer fluid flow that is directed towards the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that both the first and second portions of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow are introduced into the second heat transformer, where the second heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the second portion of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow and transfer the extracted heat into the first portion of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow.

[0084] As seen in Figure 6, medium heat transfer fluid supply line 6532 passes from medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6564, where it is then bifurcated into a first portion of medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow that is conveyedMCDR / 0087PC02 through medium-temperature hot supply main line 6534, which is directed towards the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6560, and a second portion of medium- temperature heat transfer fluid flow that is conveyed through medium temperature hot bypass line 6536, which is directed towards the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6562. The second heat pump 6574, which is a second heat transformer, is configured such that heat is transferred from the second portion of the medium- temperature heat transfer fluid flow in the medium temperature hot bypass line 6536, forming a reduced medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow in the reduced medium temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 6536’, and transferred into the first portion of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid traversing the medium-temperature hot supply main line 6534, forming an improved medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow in the improved medium-temperature hot supply main line 6534’.

[0085] The improved medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow in the improved medium-temperature hot supply main line 6534’ is coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6560 and supplies an additional amount of high-temperature heat transfer fluid, thus increasing the charge level of the high-temperature storage. Further the quality of the heat transfer fluid in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6560 may be improved by providing a second source for transferring heat indirectly into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6560 (the other option being the previously-referenced improved hot supply main line 6516’). The quality of the improved medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow supplied to the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage may be higher than the quality of the stored high-temperature heat transfer fluid, thus improving the overall quality of the stored high-temperature heat transfer fluid. Excess fluid from the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6560 may be transferred and stored in the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6564 while the heat from that fluid is maintained in the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

[0086] Medium-temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 6528 originates at the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6564 and passes an amount of medium-temperature heat transfer fluid towards the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 6562. Medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow in the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 6528 and the reduced medium-temperature heat transferMCDR / 0087PC02 fluid flow in the reduced medium-temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 6536’ merge to form a combined medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow in the combined medium-temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 6538. Similar to as previously described, combined medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow in the combined medium-temperature heat transfer fluid reject line 6538 and cooled heat transfer fluid flow with the cooled heat transfer fluid return line 6504 are combined in excess heat exchanger inlet line 6512 and are then introduced into the excess heat cooler 6580.

[0087] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is operated such that the medium- temperature heat transfer fluid storage is maintained at a temperature in between that of the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage vessel and the of the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage vessel.

[0088] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is operated such that no heat transfer fluid flows through a medium heat transfer fluid reject line coupled to the medium- temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

[0089] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an embodiment improved adiabatic compressed air energy storage (IA-CAES) system. Embodiment system 7000 has several configuration differences with system 6000 of Figure 6, especially in the power transmission subsystem and the heat management subsystem.

[0090] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the power transmission subsystem further includes a third power coupling directed to and coupled with a third heat transformer in the heat management subsystem. In Figure 7, power transmission subsystem 7400 is shown with a first power supply extension 7456, a second power supply extension 7458, and a third power supply extension 7460, directed into the heat management subsystem 7500. First and second heat pumps 7570, 7574, respectively, are similar to first and second heat pumps 6570, 6574, respectively, of system 6000. Third power supply extension 7460 couples to a third heat pump 7576, which is a heat transformer, to be described further.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0091] In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem includes a third heat transformer, where the third heat transformer is indirectly fluidly coupled to the medium- temperature heat transfer fluid storage and is fluidly and thermally directly coupled to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage produces a low- temperature heat transfer fluid flow that is directed towards the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage. In one or more embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments, the heat management subsystem is configured such that the low- temperature heat transfer fluid flow is introduced into the third heat transformer, where the third heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and transfer the extracted heat into the low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to produce an improved low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow. The heat management subsystem 7500 of Figure 7 is similar in configuration to the heat management subsystem 6500 of Figure 6, but with additional fluidic and thermal intra- relationships, to be described further.

[0092] As seen in Figure 7, low-temperature heat transfer fluid supply main line 7542 passes from low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7562 and is directed towards the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7564. The third heat pump 7576 is configured such that the third heat transformer is thermally and fluidly directly coupled to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7562. The third heat pump 7576 is a heat transformer that is configured to draw low-temperature heat transfer fluid directly from the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7562 through heat pump draw line 7540. The drawn low-temperature heat transfer fluid passes into third heat pump 7576, where heat is extracted, thereby reducing the temperature of the drawn low-temperature heat transfer fluid, forming diminished low-temperature heat transfer fluid. The diminished low-temperature heat transfer fluid is returned to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7562 through low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage return line 7540’, where it further reduces the quality (that is, reduces the temperature) of the heat transfer fluid in the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7562. The extracted heat is transferred into the low-temperature heatMCDR / 0087PC02 transfer fluid flow traversing towards the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7564 in the low-temperature heat transfer fluid supply main line 7542, producing an improved low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow traversing medium- temperature heat transfer fluid storage introduction line 7542’.

[0093] The quality of the improved low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow supplied to the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage may be higher than the quality of the stored medium-temperature heat transfer fluid, thus improving the overall quality of the stored medium-temperature heat transfer fluid. The improved low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow from the low-temperature heat exchange fluid storage may also create makeup of the heat transfer fluid in the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7564 by providing a second option for transferring heat indirectly into the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7564 (the other option being the combined hot heat transfer fluid reject line 7522). In turn, this recovered heat may be transferred at least in part to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage 7560 through portions of the heat management subsystem 7500 previously described.

[0094] While the various steps in an embodiment method or process are presented and described sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some or all of the steps may be executed in different order, may be combined or omitted, and some or all of the steps may be executed in parallel. The steps may be performed actively or passively. The method or process may be repeated or expanded to support multiple components or multiple users within a field environment. Accordingly, the scope should not be considered limited to the specific arrangement of steps shown in a flowchart or diagram.

[0095] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these systems, apparatuses, methods, processes and compositions belong.

[0096] The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Within a claim, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more.MCDR / 0087PC02

[0097] Embodiments of the present disclosure may suitably “comprise”, “consist” or “consist essentially of” the limiting features disclosed, and may be practiced in the absence of a limiting feature not disclosed. As used here and in the appended claims, the words “comprise,” “has,” and “include” and all grammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps.

[0098] When the word “approximately” or “about” are used, this term may mean that there can be a variance in value of up to ±10%, of up to 5%, of up to 2%, of up to 1%, of up to 0.5%, of up to 0.1%, or up to 0.01%.

[0099] Ranges may be expressed as from about one particular value to about another particular value, inclusive. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value to the other particular value, along with all particular values and combinations thereof within the range.

[0100] As used, terms such as “first” and “second” are arbitrarily assigned and are merely intended to differentiate between two or more components of a system, an apparatus, or a composition. It is to be understood that the words “first” and “second” serve no other purpose and are not part of the name or description of the component, nor do they necessarily define a relative location or position of the component. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the mere use of the term “first” and “second” does not require that there be any “third” component, although that possibility is contemplated under the scope of the various embodiments described.

[0101] Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the disclosed scope as described. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus- function clauses are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screwMCDR / 0087PC02 employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), for any limitations of any of the claims, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.

[0102] The following claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments provided but rather are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims.

Claims

MCDR / 0087PC02 What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising: an air compression train, comprising one or more compression stages with an aftercooler; a compressed air storage coupled to the air compression train; an air expansion train comprising one or more expansion stages with a preheater, wherein the air expansion train is coupled to the compressed air storage; a heat management subsystem that is coupled to the air compression train and the air expansion train, comprising: a high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of a heat transfer fluid side of the aftercooler; a low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of and coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and positioned upstream of and coupled to a heat transfer side of the aftercooler; a first heat transformer coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; and a power transmission subsystem coupled to the air compression train, the heat management subsystem, and the air expansion train, comprising: a first heat management subsystem power coupling that couples to the first heat transformer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the air compression train is configured to: receive an atmospheric air feed flow from an air feed conduit; receive a first amount of power from the power transmission subsystem; receive a low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow from the heat management subsystem; produce a cool compressed air; and produce a heated heat transfer fluid flow; the compressed air storage is configured to: receive the cool compressed air from the air compression train; maintain the cool compressed air as a stored compressed air; andMCDR / 0087PC02 produce the stored compressed air; the air expansion train is configured to: receive the stored compressed air from the compressed air storage; produce an exhausted decompressed air flow and a second amount of power, wherein the first amount of power is greater than or equal to the second amount of power; and produce a cooled heat transfer fluid flow; the heat management subsystem is configured to: receive a heated heat transfer fluid flow from the air compression train; provide a low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to the air compression train; receive a cooled heat transfer fluid flow from the air expansion train; provide a high-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to the air expansion train; and heat balance the system by a heat rejection; the power transmission subsystem is configured to: provide a first amount of power to the air compression train; provide a third amount of power to the heat management subsystem via the first heat management subsystem power coupling; and receive the second amount of power from the air expansion train.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein: the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is configured to store a first heat transfer fluid having a first quality; the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is configured to store a second heat transfer fluid having a second quality, the first quality of the first heat transfer fluid being greater than the second quality of the second heat transfer fluid; and the first heat transfer fluid in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage increases a power generation potential of the stored compressed air, such that the power generation potential increases with an increase in a quality of the first heat transfer fluid or with an increase in a quantity of the first heat transfer fluid.MCDR / 0087PC02 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first heat transformer is directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and indirectly coupled to the low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the heated heat transfer fluid flow from the air compression train is bifurcated into a first portion and a second portion, wherein: both the first portion and the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow directed towards the heat management subsystem from the air compression train are introduced into the first heat transformer; the first portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed into the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage; the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed into the low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage; and the first heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the second portion of heated heat transfer fluid flow from the air compression train and transfer the extracted heat directly into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage such that the extracted heat improves the quality of the first heat transfer fluid stored in the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the first heat transformer is indirectly coupled to both the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the heated heat transfer fluid flow from the air compression train is bifurcated into a first portion and a second portion, wherein: both the first portion and the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow are introduced into the first heat transformer; the first portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed into the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage; the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed into the low- temperature heat transfer fluid storage; and the first heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the second portion of heated heat transfer fluid flow and transfer the extracted heat into the first portionMCDR / 0087PC02 of heated heat transfer fluid flow, such that the extracted heat improves the quality of the first portion of the heat transfer fluid flow to produce an improved heated heat transfer fluid flow directed to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage such that the improved heated heat transfer fluid flow improves the first heat transfer fluid stored in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

8. A system, comprising: an air compression train, comprising one or more compression stages with an aftercooler; a compressed air storage coupled to the air compression train; an air expansion train comprising one or more expansion stages with a preheater, wherein the air expansion train is coupled to the compressed air storage; a heat management subsystem that is coupled to the air compression train and the air expansion train, comprising: a high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of a heat transfer fluid side of the aftercoolers; a low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of and coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and positioned upstream of and coupled to the heat transfer side of the aftercoolers; a medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned upstream of and coupled to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, positioned downstream of the heat transfer fluid side of the aftercoolers and the high- temperature heat transfer fluid storage, and a first heat transformer coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; a second heat transformer positioned downstream of and indirectly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the medium- temperature heat transfer fluid storage; and a power transmission subsystem coupled to the air compression train, the heat management subsystem, and the air expansion train, comprising: a first heat management subsystem power coupling that couples the heat management subsystem to the first heat transformer; andMCDR / 0087PC02 a second heat management subsystem power coupling that couples the heat management subsystem to the second heat transformer.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein: the air compression train is configured to: receive an atmospheric air feed flow from an air feed conduit; receive a first amount of power from the power transmission subsystem; receive a low-temperature heat transfer fluid from the heat management subsystem; produce a cool compressed air; and produce a heated heat transfer fluid flow; the compressed air storage is configured to: receive the cool compressed air from the air compression train; maintain the cool compressed air as a stored compressed air; and produce the stored compressed air; the air expansion train is configured to: receive the stored compressed air from the compressed air storage; produce an exhausted decompressed air flow and a second amount of power, wherein the first amount of power is greater than or equal to the second amount of power; and produce a cooled heat transfer fluid flow the heat management subsystem is configured to: receive a heated heat transfer fluid flow from the air compression train; and provide a low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to the air compression train; receive a cooled heat transfer fluid flow from the air expansion train; provide a high-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to the air expansion train; and heat balance the system by a heat rejection; the power transmission subsystem is configured to: provide a first amount of power to the air compression train;MCDR / 0087PC02 provide a third amount of power to the heat management subsystem via the first heat management subsystem power coupling; provide a fourth amount of power to the heat management subsystem via the second heat management subsystem power coupling; and receive the second amount of power from the air expansion train.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein: the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is configured to store a first heat transfer fluid having a first quality; the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is configured to store a second heat transfer fluid having a second quality, the first quality of the first heat transfer fluid being greater than the second quality of the second heat transfer fluid; the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is configured to store a third heat transfer fluid having a third quality, the third quality of the third heat transfer fluid being greater than the second quality of the second heat transfer fluid and lesser than the first quality of the first transfer fluid; and the first heat transfer fluid in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage increases a power generation potential of the stored compressed air, such that the power generation potential increases with an increase in a quality of the first heat transfer fluid or with an increase in a quantity of the first heat transfer fluid.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein: the heated heat transfer fluid flow from the air compression train is bifurcated into a first portion and a second portion such that both the first portion and the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow are introduced into the first heat transformer, wherein: the first portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow is directed into the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; and the first heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the second portion of the heated heat transfer fluid flow and transfer the extracted heat into the first portion of heated heat transfer fluid flow, such that the extracted heatMCDR / 0087PC02 improves the quality of the first heat transfer fluid flow to produce an improved heated heat transfer fluid flow directed to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage such that the improved heated heat transfer fluid flow improves the quality of the first heat transfer fluid stored in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; wherein the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage produces a medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow which is bifurcated into a first portion and a second portion, such that both the first and second portions of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow are introduced into the second heat transformer, wherein: the first portion of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow is directed towards the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; the second portion of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow is directed towards the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; and the second heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the second portion of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow and transfer the heat into the first portion of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow, such that the heat improves the quality of the first portion of the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to produce an improved medium-temperature heat transfer fluid flow directed to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage such that the improved medium- temperature heat transfer fluid flow increases a quantity of the first heat transfer fluid stored in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein a third heat transformer is directly coupled to the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and is indirectly coupled to the medium- temperature heat transfer fluid storage; and the power transmission subsystem further comprises a third heat management subsystem power coupling coupled to the third heat transformer of the heat management subsystem.

13. The system of claim 12, where the heat management subsystem is further configured such that the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage produces a low- temperature heat transfer fluid flow that is directed towards the medium-temperatureMCDR / 0087PC02 heat transfer fluid storage and is introduced into the third heat transformer, and where the third heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and transfer the heat into the low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to produce an additional quantity of the second heat transfer fluid stored in the medium-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

14. A system, comprising: an air compression train, comprising one or more compression stages with an aftercooler; a compressed air storage coupled to the air compression train; an air expansion train comprising one or more expansion stages with a preheater, wherein the air expansion train is coupled to the compressed air storage; a heat management subsystem that is coupled to the air compression train and the air expansion train, comprising: a high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of a heat transfer fluid side of the aftercooler; a low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage positioned downstream of and coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and positioned upstream of and couple to a heat transfer side of the aftercoolers; a first heat transformer coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage; and a power transmission subsystem coupled to the air compression train, the heat management subsystem, and the air expansion train, comprising: a first heat management subsystem power coupling that couples to the first heat transformer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: the air compression train is configured to: receive an atmospheric air feed flow from an air feed conduit; receive a first amount of power from the power transmission subsystem; receive a low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow from the heat management subsystem;MCDR / 0087PC02 produce a cool compressed air; and produce a heated heat transfer fluid flow; the compressed air storage is configured to: receive the cool compressed air from the air compression train; maintain the cool compressed air as a stored compressed air; and produce the stored compressed air; the air expansion train is configured to: receive the stored compressed air from the compressed air storage; produce an exhausted decompressed air flow and a second amount of power, wherein the first amount of power is greater than or equal to the second amount of power; and produce a cooled heat transfer fluid flow; the heat management subsystem is configured to: receive a heated heat transfer fluid flow from the air compression train; provide a low-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to the air compression train; receive a cooled heat transfer fluid flow from the air expansion train provide a high-temperature heat transfer fluid flow to the air expansion train; and heat balance the system by a heat rejection; and the power transmission subsystem is configured to: provide a first amount of power to the air compression train; provide a third amount of power to the heat management subsystem via the first heat management subsystem power coupling; and receive the second amount of power from the air expansion train.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is configured to store a first heat transfer fluid having a first quality; the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is configured to store a second heat transfer fluid having a second quality, the first quality of the first heat transfer fluid being greater than the second quality of the second heat transfer fluid; andMCDR / 0087PC02 the first heat transfer fluid in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage increases a power generation potential of the stored compressed air, such that the power generation potential increases with an increase in a quality of the first heat transfer fluid or with an increase in a quantity of the first heat transfer fluid.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first heat transformer is an electric heater, wherein the electrical heater is directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage, and wherein the electrical heater is configured to convert an electrical power to a high-temperature heat and transfer the high-temperature heat to improve the quality of the first heat transfer fluid stored in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first heat transformer directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage is a heat transformer directly coupled to the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first heat transformer is configured to extract heat from the low-temperature heat transfer fluid storage and transfer the heat into the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage to improve the quality of the first heat transfer fluid stored in the high-temperature heat transfer fluid storage.

20. The system of claim 17, where the power transmission subsystem is further configured to receive and provide power as selected from a group comprising electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, and combinations thereof.

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