Compressed air for energy storage

Compressed air storage in harness with renewable energy

The need for renewable energy is growing as it provides a clean, sustainable way to generate electricity. Solar, wind and hydro power are just a few examples of the various types of renewable energy (which thankfully exists in every country on our globe). Using renewable energy has the best advantage of having very low carbon footprints to the atmosphere compared with traditional gas fuels. However, one major issue is that renewable energy sources can be quite variable. As an illustration, wind and solar energy depend largely on weather conditions. This unpredictability means people who use solar or wind power typically need a way to store the energy stored for when they it - either large batteries.

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) - What is it?

Another way to store renewable energy is Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES). The process absorbs unused electrical energy from days it is more easily produced - On sunny or windy ones, for example - And uses that to convert the gas into compressed air. This air is further compressed and stored underground in vast caverns or depleted reservoirs. Compressed air is stored which can then be released when there is a high demand for electricity, to drive a generator and generate more power. 

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Why is CAES Important?

One of the primary functions that CAES can assume is helping buyers throttle to stabilize grid power. There are already severe challenges with excess generation in certain parts of the country - Mainly when it is produced by renewables and ultimately clouds cause more nuclear plants come back online. As with this one, its disruptions can be severe and it may impede the safety of continued energy supply to homes and businesses. To prevent these problems a CAES system is used to store this excess energy as compressed air and release the stored wind power when electricity demand surges. Furthermore, Ningbo Anbo United Electric Appliance solar energy storage can be used to balance the energies generated by renewable sources. One of the biggest problems with renewables is that wind and solar generate energy periodically, rather than in a reliable continuous flow. The majority of this variability are changes in weather, and as a consequence provide challenges to demand elements. If deployed in a number of locations worldwide, they can go towards solving these issues and much improve the way grid operators manage energy supply versus demand.

Features of CAES

The third challenge, then is to deploy renewable energy like wind turbines and Ningbo Anbo United Electric Appliance Solar Panel that do not deplete the environment or generate carbon-based pollutants. But there are a number of hurdles to be passed before CAES can prove itself as an economically viable option for electric utilities and power systems operators. Ultimately, CAES will only be as cheap or effective relative to other storage technologies when the total savings from that use can justify its cost of development and operation.  A smart CAES strategy might well include combining it with other energy ideas. Not just simplifying installation and maintenance, but reducing those costs of storage at the same time. Moreover, CAES can be built to complement existing infrastructure (natural gas pipelines and storage). Because of this compatibility, CAES can be an useful tool in our energy systems portfolio improving reliability and ensuring resilience through effective use of existing assets.

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