Experimental and analytical evaluation of a hydro-pneumatic compressed-air Ground-Level Integrated Diverse Energy Storage (GLIDES) system. (1st July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Odukomaiya, Adewale; Abu-Heiba, Ahmad; Graham, Samuel; Momen, Ayyoub M.
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 221(2018)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 85
• Publication Date: 2018-07-01
• Subjects: GLIDES -- Energy storage -- Compressed air -- Liquid piston -- Micro pumped-hydro storage -- Near-isothermal compression/expansion; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.110
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: A novel prototype liquid-piston based compressed-air energy storage system is presented. Energy storage (compression) achieved via liquid-piston with hydraulic pump. Energy recovery (expansion) achieved by passing liquid through hydraulic turbine. A calibrated/validated physics-based model of the system is presented. Experimental and simulated system performance are presented. Abstract: In recent times, there has been a significant increase in intermittent renewable electricity capacity additions to the generation mix. This, coupled with an aging electrical grid that is poorly equipped to handle the ensuing mismatch between generation and use, has created a strong need for flexible, advanced bulk energy storage technologies. In this paper, one such technology recently invented and demonstrated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is introduced and characterized. Similar to compressed-air energy storage, the Ground-Level Integrated Diverse Energy Storage (GLIDES) technology is based on gas compression/expansion, however, liquid-piston compression and expansion are utilized. In common with pumped-storage hydroelectricity, hydraulic turbomachines (pump/turbine) are utilized for energy storage and recovery, however, pressure vessels are utilized to create artificial elevation (head) difference, allowing pressure head of several thousands of feet to be reached. This paper reports on the experimental performance of the first GLIDES proof-of-concept prototype, and presents formulation and results from a validated physics-based simulation model.