Compressed Gas Energy Storage with Modular Location Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage systems, such as CAES and containerized compressed gas systems, are limited in their ability to store and convert non-air compressed gases into electrical energy, lack flexibility in placing compression and expansion stages at different locations, and require specific geological conditions for large-scale storage, making them unsuitable for many locations.
Innovation Solution
A non-air compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system that includes pre-treatment, compression, cooling, storage, and expansion stages to store and convert compressed gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and natural gas into electrical energy, allowing for flexibility in locating these stages and not requiring specific geological conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large-scale underground cavern storage is used for compressed gas energy storage, then storage capacity is improved, but the system requires specific geological conditions that limit location flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage function into multiple modular above-ground storage vessels instead of requiring a single large underground cavern. Each vessel can be independently sized and positioned, allowing the system to achieve large total storage capacity while maintaining location flexibility and not requiring specific geological conditions.
2Device complexity
If compression and expansion stages are integrated at the same location as in traditional CAES systems, then system simplicity is improved, but flexibility in placing stages at different locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the compression stage, storage stage, and expansion stage into distinct modular units that can be located at different sites. The compressed gas can be transported between locations via pipelines, enabling flexible placement of each stage based on local conditions such as available space, environmental constraints, or proximity to load centers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pipelines as intermediary transport infrastructure to connect the compression stage, storage vessels, and expansion stage located at different positions. This allows the system to maintain functional integration while providing spatial flexibility in the placement of individual components.
3Device complexity
If traditional CAES systems use air as the compressed gas, then the system is simpler to implement, but it cannot utilize other available industrial or fuel gases for energy storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with universal compatibility to handle multiple types of compressible gases including air, natural gas, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and helium. The compression, storage, and expansion components are configured to work with various gas properties, allowing the same system infrastructure to serve multiple gas types and applications without requiring complete redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-air compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system and method include receiving a quantity of non-air compressible gas and removing contaminants therefrom utilizing a separator/filter then powering a compressor to volumetrically compress the compressible gas. The gas is passed through a cooler to reduce the gas temperature and increase its density and is transferred to a storage vessel. The stored gas is then routed to a heater to increase the temperature of the gas and the gas is expanded in an expander to drive the expander and an electrical generator operably connected thereto in order to generate electric power.