The 2nd International Conference on Climate Change and Ocean Renewable Energy (CCORE 2023)

Abstract: To achieve the highly ambitious net-zero target by 2050, the decarbonisation of UK power sector requires significant actions at regional and local levels. The UK’s energy system is transforming rapidly to a more decentralised mode with solar and wind being deployed in district buildings, and local communities. The intermittent nature of these renewable sources, however, presents a great challenge to power network stability. Energy Storage is a key solution to this challenge through the provision of flexibility to store excess electricity for times when it is in demand. The majority of recent installations deploys fast response electricity storage systems (e.g., batteries) with short-duration storage and short-discharge duration of 1-4 hours. However, technologies such as compressed air energy storage with long-duration electricity storage (days-weeks) and medium-duration discharge (over 4 hours) are required to ensure power supply security in all weather conditions. This talk covers the fundamentals of compressed air energy storage (CAES) with the particular focus on novel technologies developed in our group based on near-isothermal CAES systems. Results from CFD, Experiment, Thermodynamic, economic and environmental impact analyses will be presented.