Factors affecting storage of compressed air in porous-rock reservoirs

Allen, R.D.; Doherty, T.J.; Erikson, R.L.; Wiles, L.E.

doi:10.2172/6270908

Cited by 28 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Salt caverns formed by solution mining, underground rock caverns created by excavating rock formations such as abandoned limestone or coal mines, and porous rock formations can be used for compressed air storage (Allen et al, 1982a;Allen et al, 1982b;Allen et al, 1983). The main geotechnical challenges in the development of compressed air storage are related to: the response of the host rock to large amplitude cycles in pore fluid pressure (e.g., stiffness, strength, strains), thermal fluctuations associated to gas compression and decompression, moisture changes and mineral solubility, and robust monitoring tools to assess the integrity, evolution and long-term performance of the underground cavern.…”

Section: Use Of Underground Space For Energy Storagementioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable development and energy geotechnology — Potential roles for geotechnical engineering

et al. 2011

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The world is facing unprecedented challenges related to energy resources, global climate change, material use, and waste generation. Failure to address these challenges will inhibit the growth of the developing world and will negatively impact the standard of living and security of future generations in all nations. The solutions to these challenges will require multidisciplinary research across the social and physical sciences and engineering. Although perhaps not always recognized, geotechnical engineering expertise is critical to the solution of many energy and sustainability-related problems. Hence, geotechnical engineers and academicians have opportunity and responsibility to contribute to the solution of these worldwide problems. Research will need to be extended to non-standard issues such as thermal properties of soils; sediment and rock response to extreme conditions and at very long time scales; coupled hydro-chemo-thermo-bio-mechanical processes; positive feedback systems; the development of discontinuities; biological modification of soil properties; spatial variability; and emergent phenomena. Clearly, the challenges facing geotechnical engineering in the future will require a much broader knowledge base than our traditional educational programs provide. The geotechnical engineering curricula, from undergraduate education through continuing professional education, must address the changing needs of a profession that will increasingly be engaged in alternative/renewable energy production; energy efficiency; sustainable design, enhanced and more efficient use of natural resources, waste management, and underground utilization.

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Section: Use Of Underground Space For Energy Storagementioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable development and energy geotechnology — Potential roles for geotechnical engineering

et al. 2011

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“…This scheme can be regarded as a constant volume system because the movement of the air-water interface is negligible for daily cycles compared to the initial displacement of the interface (Allen et al, 1983;Katz and Lady, 1976). An appropriate underground reservoir requires large dimensions (e.g., the generation of 200 MW in 8 hours requires a 16 ha × 100 m reservoir), the presence of a confined aquifer, an impermeable cap rock, compatible underground water regime, high porosity, and high permeability of the rock formation (Allen et al, 1983). A new compressed air energy storage power plant is under development in a sandstone aquifer with these characteristics in Iowa, U.S. (Fortner, 2008).…”

Section: Compressed Air Energy Storagementioning

confidence: 99%

Energy geo-storage — analysis and geomechanical implications

Pastén

Santamarina

2011

KSCE J Civ Eng

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The increasing energy demand, the mismatch between generation and load, and the growing use of renewable energy accentuate the need for energy storage. In this context, energy geo-storage provides various alternatives, the use of which depends on the quality of surplus energy. In terms of power and energy capacity, large mechanical energy storage systems such as Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) and Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) are cost-effective and suitable for centralized power generation. In contrast, sensible and latent heat storage are appropriate for distributed applications when excess heat is involved. Energy density estimations highlight the advantages of compressed air over elevated water, and latent heat over sensible heat storage. From a geotechnical standpoint, the operation of geo-storage systems exerts complex effective stress, temperature, wet-dry, and freeze-thaw cycles. Although these excitations may not cause monotonic failure, they lead to ratcheting or shakedown behavior, both of which must be carefully analyzed to ensure the proper long-term cyclic response of energy geo-storage systems.

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“…This technology stores pressurized air in porous formations with high permeability. The injected air displaces the water away from the injection well, forming a giant air bubble [14]. In reservoirs with high permeability, the pressure of stored air is relatively constant because of the movement of the air-groundwater interface; such a condition is favorable for the operation of turbines and compressors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Efficiencies of surface infrastructures are difficult to improve in the short term due to the constraint of currently-available technologies, but site selection and reservoir characterization can be used to choose aquifers that favor CAES operation. Target aquifers must have enough static water pressure for effective turbine operation [14]. The aquifer must have adequate porosity and permeability to move air in and out at the speeds required for CAES [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%