Does energy storage in liquid air technology pass the laugh test?

In summary, a UK company received $10M to build a liquid air energy storage system, which could potentially be competitive in the market. However, there are concerns about its efficiency and whether it is a feasible option for large-scale grid storage. The company may also benefit from partnering with other companies working on high-pressure compressors and utilizing the byproduct of liquid nitrogen for other profitable purposes. This technology may be most efficient in cold climate areas where excess heat can be utilized.
  • #1
cave_cat
41
0
a UK company got $10M to build it, see here http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/liquid-air-for-utility-scale-energy-storage/ . Can this be at least hypothetically feasible or is it more like pure quackery for stupid investors?

ETA: to clarify, I don't doubt that it would "work" the same way as thermoelectric generator "works". The question is about the reasonableness of this kind of thermal machine as an efficient energy storage. Are air liquefaction machines sufficiently efficient nowadays that you can lose some energy on liquefaction, then lose some more energy on the limitations of the heat engine and still output big enough percentage of energy input to make it a meaningful grid storage technology?
 
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  • #2
All large energy storage systems are expensive. This one may be competitive, especially if they team up with one of the companies currently developing very efficient high volume high pressure compressors for carbon sequestration. They could combine this with any number of co-gen applications. This liquid nitrogen might even be made largely as a byproduct of another highly profitable commodity.
 
  • #3
This air liquification should be most efficient in cold climate areas with their cold and dry air, by which heat rejected can be utilized for other needs.
 

FAQ: Does energy storage in liquid air technology pass the laugh test?

What is liquid air technology?

Liquid air technology involves using excess renewable energy to compress and cool air into a liquid state, which can then be stored and later converted back into a gas to generate electricity.

How does energy storage in liquid air technology work?

During times of excess renewable energy production, air is compressed and cooled to a liquid state, which can be stored in insulated tanks at low pressure. When energy is needed, the liquid air is released and heated, expanding back into a gas and powering a turbine to generate electricity.

Is energy storage in liquid air technology a viable solution for renewable energy storage?

Yes, liquid air technology has been demonstrated to be a viable solution for renewable energy storage. It has the potential to store large amounts of energy for long periods of time and has a low environmental impact.

What are the advantages of energy storage in liquid air technology?

One of the main advantages of liquid air technology is its potential for large-scale energy storage. It also has a low environmental impact, as it uses only air and does not produce any emissions. Additionally, liquid air storage tanks have a long lifespan and can be easily integrated into existing energy infrastructure.

What are the limitations or challenges of energy storage in liquid air technology?

The main limitation of liquid air technology is the energy lost during the conversion process, which can be up to 50%. The technology also requires a significant amount of space for storage tanks. Additionally, the current cost of liquid air technology is higher than other energy storage methods, although it is expected to decrease as the technology advances.

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