Published: 19 May 2021, 11:34
By:
Andy Colthorpe
Tanks of chilled liquid air are used to store energy in Highview Power s systems. Image: Highview Power.
Large-scale liquid air energy storage (LAES) systems which can store and discharge energy for up to six hours are being planned in Spain by technology provider Highview Power.
The company said today that it is developing up to 2GWh of LAES projects in four Spanish regions, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y Leon and the Canary Islands. Up to seven projects in total are being considered, with each expected to be about 50MW rated output with 300MWh capacity.
The company said the 2GWh rollout would represent around US$1 billion of investment. A consortium has been formed to work on the development pipeline, which includes the Spanish government public research body CIEMAT which focuses on bridging the gap between technical and scientific R&D and wider social goals. Also in the consortium is engineering partner TSK, whi
Recharge in March that its global pipeline of “firm” projects added up to roughly 400MW/4GWh.
Its firm project pipeline defined by Highview as facilities that will definitely be built includes plants in the UK, US and Chile.
“Highview Power’s cryogenic energy storage technology is… the only long duration energy storage solution available today that is locatable and delivers multiple gigawatt-hours of storage. Grid operators are turning to long duration energy storage to help improve power generation economics, balance the grid, and increase reliability,” the company said.
Highview uses largely off-the-shelf equipment to freeze and therefore condense air. When this condensed ultra-cold liquid air which can be stored for days or weeks at a time is allowed to warm up, it rapidly expands to turn an electricity-generating turbine.
Highview Power is developing up to 2GWh of long duration, liquid air energy storage projects across Spain. With an estimated investment of around $1bn (€0.81bn), these projects should enable several Spanish regions to move towards their net zero emissions target.
Alongside development partners and a consortium of investors, which include engineering firm TSK, and the Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT), Highview Power is planning to develop up to seven CRYOBattery projects ranging from 50MW/300MWh in Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y Leon, and the Canary Islands.
Highview Power president and chief executive Javier Cavada said: As Spain adds more renewables to the grid, long duration energy storage will play a critical role toward enabling grid stability and helping the country achieve the decarbonisation objectives set by the National Energy and Climate Plan.
Wednesday, 19 May 2021
Highview Power, a global leader in long duration energy storage solutions, announced today it is developing up to 2 GWh of long duration, liquid air energy storage projects across Spain for an estimated investment of around $1 billion. These projects will enable several Spanish regions to move towards their net zero emissions target. Courtesy of Highview Power
Alongside development partners and a consortium of investors, which include TSK, one of the largest engineering companies in Europe, and the Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT), Highview Power is planning to develop up to seven CRYOBattery™ projects ranging from 50 MW/300 MWh in Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y Leon, and the Canary Islands.