Liquid Air Energy Storage: A Cryogenic Approach to Storing Renewable Power

What Liquid Air Energy Storage Is

Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) is a technology that converts electrical power into stored cold, which can later be converted back to electricity. This process involves compressing and liquefying ambient air using off-peak or excess electricity, then storing the liquid air at cryogenic temperatures. During discharge, the liquid air is warmed and expanded through a turbine, generating electricity.

LAES systems are particularly interesting because they can store large amounts of energy for extended periods, making them suitable for grid-scale applications where other storage technologies may be less efficient or practical.

How It Works

The process begins with compressing ambient air to high pressure. This compression raises the temperature of the air significantly, which is then cooled and condensed into a liquid state using heat exchangers. The resulting liquid air is stored in insulated tanks at temperatures around -190°C (-310°F).

During discharge, the stored liquid air is allowed to warm up, causing it to vaporize and expand through a turbine. This expansion drives the turbine, generating electricity. Heat recovery systems can capture some of this waste heat for reuse in other parts of the process or to pre-heat incoming ambient air.

Why It Matters

LAES is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the grid, as it provides a means to store excess power generated during off-peak hours. This stored energy can be released when demand peaks or when renewable generation is low, helping to stabilize the electrical supply.

Additionally, LAES has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing a more efficient and cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based storage methods.

Real-World Applications

LAES is being explored for various applications, including grid-scale energy storage, backup power systems, and even as a means of storing hydrogen produced from electrolysis. The technology can also be used in remote locations where conventional energy storage solutions are not feasible.

One notable example is the £100 million LAES plant planned by Highview Power in Slough, UK, which aims to store up to 5 MW of power for several hours.

Frequently asked questions

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) Simulator and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.