MULTIPLE CAVERN COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

An energy system for storing pressurized air and utilizing the pressurized air to generate electricity includes a first storage cavern, a second storage cavern, an air compressor in fluid communication with the first and second storage caverns, an electric generating mechanism, a combustion chamber, a controller and a recuperator. The air compressor is in fluid communication with a compressor piping system, the electric generating mechanism and the combustion chamber are in fluid communication with a generator piping system and the recuperator is in fluid communication with an exhaust piping system and the generator piping system. The controller is configured to operate the energy system such that the compressor directs compressed an into the first storage cavern through the compressor piping system at the same time the electric generating mechanism generates electricity utilizing at least compressed air from the second cavern.