What is Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES)?
LAES is a cutting-edge energy storage technology that harnesses the properties of air in its liquid state to store and redistribute energy at scale. By utilizing air as a storage medium, LAES provides a unique solution for storing large amounts of energy, making it an attractive option for grid-scale applications.
How Does LAES Work?
The process of LAES involves three primary stages:
- Liquefaction: Ambient air is drawn into the system, filtered to remove impurities, and then compressed and cooled to cryogenic temperatures, resulting in a liquid state.
- Storage: The liquefied air is held in specialized cryogenic tanks to minimize thermal losses.
- Power Recovery: The stored liquid air is pumped to high pressure, exposed to ambient or waste heat, and expands rapidly into a gaseous state, driving turbines connected to generators and converting the stored energy back into electricity.
Historical Development of Liquid Air Energy Storage
The concept of utilizing cryogenic liquids for energy storage has been around for decades, but LAES gained significant traction in the early 21st century. Notable pilot projects, such as the University of Leeds and Highview Power’s 2010 project, showcased the feasibility of LAES technology. Subsequently, Highview Power launched a grid-scale demonstrator at the Pilsworth Landfill facility in Bury, Greater Manchester, which began operations in April 2018.
| Project | Location | Capacity | Start-up Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot project | University of Leeds | 80 MW | 2010 |
| Grid-scale demonstrator | Pilsworth Landfill facility | 15 MWh | April 2018 |
Advantages of LAES
LAES offers several key benefits for modern energy systems, including:
- Scalability: LAES systems can store large amounts of energy, making them suitable for grid-scale applications.
- Geographical flexibility: Unlike pumped hydro storage, which requires specific topographical features, LAES plants can be situated in various locations.
- Long lifespan: The components used in LAES systems have long operational lifespans, contributing to the durability and reliability of the technology.
- Environmental benefits: LAES utilizes air as the storage medium, which is abundant and non-toxic, resulting in minimal environmental impact.
Disadvantages of LAES
While beneficial, LAES systems encounter challenges such as efficiency and capital costs. Their round-trip efficiency typically falls between 50% and 70%, which is lower than that of lithium-ion batteries. Efforts are underway to enhance this efficiency by integrating waste heat and cold from industrial processes.
Recent Developments in Liquid Air Energy Storage
LAES has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, further solidifying its role in the clean energy landscape.
- Large-scale implementation in the UK: Highview Power has announced plans to construct four long-duration energy storage facilities, each with a capacity of 2.5 GWh, starting with a site at Hunterston, Scotland.
- Technological collaborations: Sumitomo SHI FW and Siemens Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop LAES solutions for the global market.
- Policy support in the UK: The UK government introduced a “cap and floor” revenue mechanism in October 2024 to incentivize the development of long-duration energy storage technologies, including LAES.
Future Prospects and Conclusion
Looking ahead, the future of LAES appears promising. As the demand for clean energy storage solutions grows, LAES offers a viable option for storing surplus renewable energy and ensuring grid stability. Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving the efficiency and reducing the costs of LAES systems.
References
Damak, C. et al. (2020). Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) as a large-scale storage technology for renewable energy integration – A review of investigation studies and near perspectives of LAES. International Journal of Refrigeration, 110, 208-218. DOI:10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2019.11.009. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140700719304748
Vecchi, A. (2021). Liquid air energy storage (LAES): A review on technology state-of-the-art, integration pathways and future perspectives. Advances in Applied Energy, 3, 100047. DOI:10.1016/j.adapen.2021.100047. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666792421000391
Borri, E. A review on liquid air energy storage: History, state of the art and recent developments. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 137, 110572. DOI:10.1016/j.rser.2020.110572.
