Iowa to Combine Wind Energy & CAES (Compressed Air Energy Storage) Technology

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47096

Backed by the U.S. Department of Energy, a group of municipal utilities in Iowa and surrounding states are planning to build a new energy park that would integrate a 75-150 megawatt wind farm with Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) technology.

The proposed project, known as the Iowa Stored Energy Park (IESP), will use low-cost, off-peak electricity -- and wind energy that is not being sold on the grid at that time -- to store air in an underground geologic structure of porous rock located 3,000 feet underground, beneath layers of impermeable cap rock. The air will be injected under pressure, pushing back water stored in the rock.

The rock will hold air much like a sponge holds water. Then, as demand for electricity rises, the stored air will be released, heated, and used to drive generators -- in turn producing electricity for residents in Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas.

"Iowa is a leader in wind production but we have not developed a feasible way to store the abundant energy produced by wind. ISEP is the solution for storing energy. The project just makes sense. As an Iowan, I want to keep the clean and healthy quality of life here. The Iowa Stored Energy Park will provide needed electricity for our state, and also be environmentally friendly. We all want to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. ISEP helps us accomplish that as well," said John Bilsten, general manager for the Algona Municipal Utilities.

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[Dead_Parrot]

1. But, but...

MW-scale flywheels are fine for this: I know 'coz you told me. Maybe you you should write and tell them, they'll be really grateful. :P

I'm actually fairly ambivalent about CAES - as fossil fuels go, I believe it quite efficient, certainly better than conventional NG standby plants. Let's hope it goes ahead...

[jpak]

3. There is more than one way to skin this kitty

:D

Flywheels, V-flow batteries, H2 fuel cells are all good.

Also, this won't work everywhere (need the right geology).

[madokie]

6. here in ne ok we have a pump back lake that they fill during the off peak

and use it the next day, works good. good bass fishing too

[JohnWxy]

2. Iowa seems to be out in front in a number of ways in Renewable technologies.

This looks like the cheapest way of storing wind energy I've seen.


"It's a milestone for Iowa. It's a milestone for the Department of Energy. And, it's a milestone for the country. The Iowa Stored Energy Park could be a role model for other states and it could help the United States become a greener country," Imre Gyuk, Energy Storage Research Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Recommended.

Oh, since not EVERY area in the U.S. may have the geological structures that can meet the requirements for storage of air under pressure LEts not develop this approach AT ALL.

...... Yeah, ... RIGHT!

[NickB79]

4. Why and how is the air heated?

"Then, as demand for electricity rises, the stored air will be released, heated, and used to drive generators"

Doesn't the pressure of the air itself turn the turbines? Why does it have to be heated, and what energy source is used to heat it?

[NickB79]

5. Never mind, found the answer with Google

http://www.aip.org/isns/reports/2001/025.html

"The Alabama Electric Cooperative CAES plant works like this: On nights and weekends air is pumped underground and compressed using low-cost electricity at pressures up to 1,078 pounds per square inch. Average air pressure level at sea level is only 14.7 pounds per square inch. During the day at peak times, air is released and heated using a small amount of natural gas. The heated air flows through a turbine generator to produce electricity.

In conventional gas-turbine power generation, the air that drives the turbine is compressed and heated using natural gas. On the other hand, CAES technology needs less gas to produce power during periods of peak demand, because is uses air that has already been compressed and stored underground."

At least it uses less natural gas than a standard gas-fired turbine.