What it does
Our design utilizes water, which is 1000 times denser than air, to reduce heat during compression and effectively absorb it. This innovation addresses energy storage challenges by enhancing efficiency and sustainability in compressed air systems.
Your inspiration
The inspiration behind our solution stems from the critical need for sustainable energy storage systems for renewable sources. Recognizing that compressed air technology could leverage a significant portion of India's land area to meet substantial energy demands, we aimed to address its efficiency challenges. The idea of using water as a compression piston was born out of the quest for a cost-effective and efficient solution to enhance the scalability and viability of compressed air energy storage systems, thereby supporting the integration of renewable energy at a larger scale.
How it works
Our Liquid Piston Compressed Air Energy Storage (LP-CAES) system operates using two interconnected tanks, each half-filled with water. Surplus electricity pumps water from one tank to the other, where the water acts like a piston, compressing the air in the tank. The compressed air is stored in a separate storage tank, holding the energy for later use. This process then reverses, with water being pumped back, compressing air in the other tank, and directing it into the storage tank. When electricity is needed, the stored compressed air is released through a gas turbine to generate power. Key components include water level sensors to manage water levels, a pressure sensor to monitor system pressure, and a temperature sensor to track and maintain system efficiency. These components ensure the effective operation of the system by regulating water levels, pressure, and temperature.
Design process
Designing the Liquid Piston Compressed Air Energy Storage (LP-CAES) system began with a focus on addressing renewable energy intermittency and efficiency challenges. Conceptualization involved sketching layouts with stroke tanks, a storage tank, and a gas turbine, utilizing water as a piston for air compression. Prototyping started with manual valves and basic pumps, revealing significant heat generation issues during compression, prompting automation integration. Advanced iterations incorporated microcontrollers, diaphragm pumps, and sensor arrays for real-time monitoring of temperature, pressure, and water levels. Testing validated a 70% compressor efficiency and a 7 degree reduced temperature rise, affirming our solution's viability. Presently, LP-CAES stands as an innovative, scalable energy storage solution aligned with sustainability goals, poised to enhance grid reliability amidst renewable energy adoption
How it is different
The Liquid Piston Compressed Air Energy Storage (LP-CAES) system stands out from traditional CAES systems in several key ways. Unlike diabatic and adiabatic systems, which struggle with efficiency losses due to heat generation and management, LP-CAES uses water as a piston to maintain a constant temperature during air compression. This isothermal process significantly enhances efficiency by neutralising heat through direct contact with water. Additionally, our design is highly scalable, as it maintains the same number of tanks regardless of system size, simplifying expansion. This approach is also cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, providing a reliable solution for storing renewable energy. By leveraging the thermal properties of water, LP-CAES offers superior energy conversion rates and improved overall system performance compared to conventional CAES products.
Future plans
Future plans for our design include replacing the gas turbine with an integrated Francis turbine to enhance energy harnessing efficiency. This dual-turbine approach aims to mitigate efficiency losses traditionally associated with gas turbines while optimizing energy generation from stored compressed air. Furthermore, we will conduct extensive studies on utilizing salt caverns for storing compressed energy at high pressures and volumes, aiming to enhance storage capacity and system reliability. These steps are crucial in advancing our technology towards greater efficiency, scalability, and sustainability in energy storage solutions.
Awards
Awarded a silver medal at the International Inter Varsity Innovation Challenge 2023 Third prize in International PROJECT Expo2024 and achieved third prize at the Ideathon during the 6th INAE-SERB Youth Conclave hosted by GITAM University
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