St George Air Energy Storage Project

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is one of the many energy storage options that can store electric energy in the form of potential energy (compressed air) and can be deployed near central power plants or distribution centers. In response to demand, the stored energy can be discharged by expanding the stored air with a turboexpander generator.

Energy storage (ES) plays a key role in the energy transition to low-carbon economies due to the rising use of intermittent renewable energy in electrical grids. Among the different ES technologies, compressed air energy storage (CAES) can store tens to hundreds of MW of power capacity for long-term applications and utility-scale.

For example, the state of Kansas has facilitated these processes with their Compressed Air Energy Storage Act, effective since 2009. A study that reports on promising locations, permitting processes and challenges, and mitigating solutions would help developers navigate these issues during the planning phase.

CAES is dissimilar to other energy storage technologies, although it does share a feature with pumped storage hydropower: it comprises a series of subsystems, which include mature technologies, such as compressors, expanders, turbines, and heat exchangers.

Storage is classified as a generation asset in most electricity markets . Directive 2009/28/EC27 of the European Parliament and the Council of April 2009 provides common rules for the internal electricity market and sets ambitious targets for all Member States.

In addition, the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) was set up by the European Union (EU) to develop and implement an energy technology policy for the transition to a low carbon economy. In this SET-Plan, ES is referred to as one of the solutions to manage the challenges of a smarter grid .