Compressed air energy storage (CAES) system with means to recycle thermal energy from compressed air

摘要

A compressed air energy storage system 10, for supplying pressurised fluid to an electricity generating turbine 26, comprising: at least one compressor 12,14 for compressing air; a thermal energy recovery system 18 for recovering the heat of compression from the air; a thermal energy store 20 for storing at least a proportion of the recovered heat; a compressed air energy store 24; a thermal energy induction system to reintroduce at least a portion of the heat to the air downstream of the compressed air energy store 24; and a compressed air flow path 21 connecting the at least one compressor 12,14 and the compressed air energy store 24. Excess heat may be directly extracted from the compressor 12,14 and there may be a heat exchanger to recover heat from the compressed air. The thermal energy store 20 may comprise dried and settled salt deposits or water. Recovered thermal energy may be used to pre-heat the turbine 26. A method of operating the system 10 is also disclosed.