How pressure affects costs of power conversion machinery in compressed air energy storage; Part I: Compressors and expanders

Baniamerian, Zahra; Garvey, Seamus; Rouse, James; Cárdenas, Bruno; Pottie, Daniel L.; Barbour, Edward R.; Bagdanavicius, Audrius

Abstract

This study addresses a critical economic aspect in compressed air energy storage that has not been discussed much in existing literature: the impact of operating pressure on machinery capital cots. It aims to answer whether the cost per unit of power for power conversion systems changes with the maximum storage pressure. Considering that higher storage pressures are associated with greater energy density, enhanced energy storage capabilities and improved system efficiency. This paper helps clarify uncertainties in initial cost estimations for power-generation plants. Effects of operating pressure on the components and overall sizes and consequently costs of power conversion machinery are individually investigated in two parts. Part I encompasses the compressor and expanders, and part II comprehensively discusses the effects of the operating pressure on the costs of heat exchangers. The analysis employs a conceptual engineering approach, revealing that higher intake pressure reduces overall compressor/expander size, leading to cost savings. Additionally, increasing the number of compression stages for higher storage pressures enhances exergy storage cost-effectiveness. To establish an advanced adiabatic CAES plant with a storage pressure of 200 bar instead of 50 bar, there is potential for a 6 % reduction in $/kW expenditure.

Citation

Baniamerian, Z., Garvey, S., Rouse, J., Cárdenas, B., Pottie, D. L., Barbour, E. R., & Bagdanavicius, A. (2024). How pressure affects costs of power conversion machinery in compressed air energy storage; Part I: Compressors and expanders. Journal of Energy Storage, 89, Article 111791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111791

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 19, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 25, 2024
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 10, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 10, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Energy Storage
• Electronic ISSN: 2352-152X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 89
• Article Number: 111791
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111791
• Keywords: Compressed air energy storage; Power conversion system; Cost per kW; Storage pressure; Compressor; Expander
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/34631179
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X24013768