Engineering news
The UK's first dedicated research facility for energy storage using cryogenic liquids has been opened in Birmingham.
Cryogenic energy storage (CES) uses renewables inputs such as solar power or wind energy and/or off-peak electricity to liquefy air; which is drawn from the plant’s immediate surroundings.
Work at the centre, which is part of the Birmingham Energy Institute, will focus on reducing the costs of integrating intermittent generation into the electricity system using ‘liquid air’ energy storage technology. It will be the UK’s first dedicated research facility for energy storage using cryogenic liquids, comprising new labs, test equipment and a demonstration plant.
Professor Richard Williams, pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Birmingham, and lead investigator at the CES centre, said: “Energy storage is the missing link in UK energy strategy and is critical to future domestic electrical energy supply and industrial needs.
"This award is for the groundbreaking technology of using cold liquefied air as a safe, cheap, large-scale energy warehouse. It will also provide the UK’s first research demonstrator plant to enable development of applications for use in the city and region."
The cryogenic liquid is stored at temperatures of below -190 degrees C. According to the Energy Storage Association 700 litres of ambient air becomes 1 litre of liquid air after the process.
When electricity is needed, the liquid is pumped to a high pressure, vapourised into a gas, and then superheated using heat and waste heat if available. From there, it goes through an expansion process in a turbine to generate electricity.
Secretary of state for business, Sajid Javid, who opened the facility, said: “The project has the potential to transform energy storage by using innovative technology that could create a new industry worth at least £1 billion to the UK economy."
The centre is being funded by a £6 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council which was initially announced in 2013.
Meanwhile, other industry developments in cyrogenic energy storage are taking place. Engineering and technology company TP Group, is to participate in Cryohub, a CES research project funded under the EU's Horizon 2020 framework.
The pan-European consortium is being led by London South Bank University's School of The Built Environment and Architecture is looking
Phil Cartmell, chief executive of the TP Group, said: "I believe that our involvement in the project is testament to our growing reputation at the forefront of renewable energy developments, opens up new application opportunities and positions us to benefit from the commercial markets that should emerge as a result."