Adele an adiabatic compressed air energy storage

What is adiabatic compressed air energy storage?

RWE Power is working along with partners on the adiabatic compressed-air energy storage (CAES) project for electricity supply (ADELE). „Adiabatic“ here means: additional use of the compression heat to increase efficiency. When the air is compressed, the heat is not released into the surroundings: most of it is captured in a heat-storage facility.

Is diabatic compressed air energy storage a promising energy storage solution?

At first sight, this appears surprising, given that technical literature consistently refers to its potential as a promising energy storage solution and the fact that two diabatic compressed air energy storage (DCAES) plants exist at utility scale (Huntorf, Germany and Macintosh Alabama, USA), with over 80 years of combined operation.

What are the limitations of adiabatic compressed air energy storage system?

The main limitation for this technology has to do with the start up, which is currently between 10 and 15 min because of the thermal stress being high. The air is first compressed to 2.4 bars during the first stage of compression. Medium temperature adiabatic compressed air energy storage system depicted in Fig. 13. Fig. 13.

Can high temperature thermal storage improve adiabatic CAES efficiency?

It has also been stated in literature that the creation of high temperature thermal storage, made of a compressor of whose materials are temperature resistant, are ideal for the enhancement of the efficiency of adiabatic CAES systems .

Why is air expansion important in an adiabatic compressed air energy storage system?

Air expansion is very is important in an adiabatic compressed air energy storage system since there is no combustion of fossil fuels in these storage systems. The energy generated from compressed air as well as the heat must be well utilised as well.

How electrical energy can be stored as exergy of compressed air?

(1) explains how electrical energy can be stored as exergy of compressed air in an idealized reversed process. The Adiabatic method achieves a much higher efficiency level of up to 70%. In the adiabatic storage method, the heat, which is produced by compression, is kept and returned into the air, as it is expanded to generate power.