Where can a compressed air energy storage facility be built?

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) facilities can be built in locations that have suitable geological formations for storing compressed air. Ideal sites typically include underground caverns, such as salt domes, depleted natural gas fields, or aquifers, which can effectively contain the high-pressure air.

How efficient are Germany's pumped-storage power plants?

Efficiency is between 75 and 85%. Today, Germany has pumped- storage power plants producing a total of about 7,000 MW. The expansion potential is severely limited, especially in northern Germany where the balancing need is greatest.

What is Siemens Energy compressed air energy storage?

Siemens Energy Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is a comprehensive, proven, grid-scale energy storage solution. We support projects from conceptual design through commercial operation and beyond.

What is energy storage & why is it important?

Energy storage (ES) plays a key role in the energy transition to low-carbon economies due to the rising use of intermittent renewable energy in electrical grids. Among the different ES technologies, compressed air energy storage (CAES) can store tens to hundreds of MW of power capacity for long-term applications and utility-scale.

Where should a compressed air storage power plant be located?

Suitable locations for compressed-air storage power plants are, in particular, regions with adequate geological salt structures, which can then be used to build underground caverns for the absorption of large quantities of compressed air. In addition, such salt structures should be close to wind turbines.

What is compressed air energy storage (CAES)?

The expansion potential is severely limited, especially in northern Germany where the balancing need is greatest. Compressed-air energy storage (CAES) is similar in its principle: during the phases of excess availability, electrically driven compressors compress air in a cavern to some 70 bar.