Air storage: the alternative peak power source
The necd for energy storage is increasing with the advent of more nuclear power plants. Where lack of water or unsuitable terrain rule out pumped storage, air storage systems based on gas-turbine technology provide an economic and easily deployed alternattve. Unlike a conventional gas-turbine generator package, the compressor and turbine stages are mounted on separate shafts at opposite ends of a motor-generator set and coupled to it via clutches. At night the compressor is coupled to the electrical machine, which functions as a motor. The compressor feeds air at high pressure into an underground storage cavern. In the daytime peak periods the turbine is coupled to the machine that now serves as a generator. Air is discharged from the cavern, into a combustion chamber and then to the power turbine. Some preheating of the air can be arranged by means of an exhaust heat recuperator. The storage cavern is excavated beneath a lake, or the sea, so that a constant air pressure can be maintained by hydrostatlc means. If no water is available, air can be delivered at constant volume over a decreasing pressure range. (MCW)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-29-012390
- OSTI ID:
- 4384454
- Journal Information:
- Energy Int., v. 10, no. 9, pp. 23-25, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-74
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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