Abstract
The increasing share of renewable energies requires the installation of large-scale electricity storage capacities in addition to grid expansion. Significant contribution to reach this goal is provided by adiabatic compressed air energy storage power plants (A-CAES), key elements in future electricity transmission systems. This technology allows efficient, local zero-emission electricity storage on the basis of compressed air in underground caverns in combination with thermal energy storage systems and, in contrast to pumped storage power plants (PSPP), it demands no overground geological requirements. Despite the achieved success of A-CAES systems in terms of efficiency and cost, further improvements in dynamics and flexibility are needed. One promising solution to fulfil these dynamic requirements is based on the integration of an additional power-to-heat element (P2H) operating during the charging periods. This modification allows increased power plant flexibility and further cost reductions due to increased thermal storage densities but is simultaneously associated with concept-dependent decreasing total round trip efficiencies. For the identification of suitable configurations, adequate concepts must be elaborated, and the influence on round trip efficiency as well as on cost reduction potential must be investigated. For this purpose, a system model for a two-stage A-CAES configuration is established and used for large simulation studies related to P2H locations and power, thermal energy storage systems, and central process variables. Therefore, time-efficient model reductions with well-justified assumptions are conducted, offering a simplified transient implementation of thermal energy options in the system simulation. On the basis of a promising P2H configuration including high potentials for cost reduction and moderate losses in round trip efficiency, an alternative concept is presented offering high exergetic utilization and additional cost reductions, which can be treated as a base for upgrading the existing CAES power plants and for modifying operational concepts.
Highlights
The transformation of the electrical energy system from conventional to renewable energy sources enforces significant extensions of grid and storage capacities due to the fluctuating nature of wind and solar power
On the basis of a set of central specifications listed in Table 1, variation studies are conducted related to thermal storage energy efficiencies, electrical heating power (PP2H ), and low-pressure stage
Adiabatic compressed air energy storage power plants extended by P2H options offer high potentials to fulfill the ambitious requirements for costs and flexibility
Summary
The transformation of the electrical energy system from conventional to renewable energy sources enforces significant extensions of grid and storage capacities due to the fluctuating nature of wind and solar power. The integration of P2H elements operating during charging periods inside the power plant configuration is investigated, allowing increased operating times as well as participation in the secondary control market and improved competitiveness This modification allows increased power plant flexibility and further cost reductions due to increasing thermal storage densities but is simultaneously associated with concept-dependent decreasing total round trip efficiencies. The modified system (Figure is based on the original system with P2H elements in consisting in the integration of P2H1b) elements (extended concept)A-CAES and system modifications This concept allows the concept) are investigated.
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