The world’s largest demonstration plant for a new kind of renewable energy storage is up and running in the west of the China. Called liquid-air energy storage (LAES) the plant uses renewable electricity to compress air to extreme densities until it turns to liquid. It can then be rapidly released to power a turbine and discharge that green energy back into the grid.
this is an old idea through, decades ago when i subscribed to Scientific American a front cover atory was about an idea was to use abandoned underground mines for massive compressed air storage that could be released to spin a turbines when needed. i e a battery
good to see the Chinese having a go though
Compressed air storage already exists. That’s different from liquid air storage.
How so? Its higher pressure, but still just compressed air storage. They use the energy released during decompression to generate electricity.
Is not compressed, when it becomes liquid it can be unpressurized and just needs thermal insulation to stay cold. That’s how gas works. Not about pressure at all. You can pump the liquid or let it drain into an unpressurized thermos.
You are right, i didnt read that far. It should be possible to turn and keep it liquid just through pressure at room temperature but i guess that wouldnt be practical.
It’s spinning turbines alllllllll the way down!
This implementation is first sensible path from battery systems price drops.