Compressed air energy storage (CAES) for electrical power generation during peak-use periods is a concept hat has been considered by a number of power utilities in the U.S. and around the world. Storing compressed air in geologic structures such as aquifers and solution-mined caverns is often a feasible and cost-effective concept.
The CAES theory is based on over 60 years of natural gas storage experience in underground reservoirs. Of the types of underground media which can accommodate compressed air, solution-mined caverns are the prefered choice. Salt domes along the Gulf Coast and bedded salt deposits elsewhere are suitable for CAES development. Hard-rock caverns are also suitable in those areas where salt deposits might not occur.
PB Energy Storage Services constructed the U.S.’s first CAES cavern facility for peak-shaving in Alabama’s McIntosh salt dome, where a 20-million cubic foot cavern supports a 26-hour, 110 MW power generation plant.
KBB constructed the world’s first CAES salt dome storage cavern project at Huntorf, Germany, where two 10-million cubic foot caverns support a 2-hour, 290 MW power plant.