U.S. proposed to build experimental compressed air energy storage power station
August 03 20:00:31, 2025
In the western United States, wind power tends to be stronger at night than during the day, leading to an excess of electricity production when demand is lower. This mismatch between supply and demand poses a challenge for grid stability. To address this issue, U.S. researchers have proposed an innovative approach: building a new type of compressed air energy storage (CAES) facility. This system would store surplus wind energy from the northwestern region, preparing for future periods of high demand and potential energy shortages.
The proposed CAES plant not only stores energy but can also rapidly transition from an energy storage unit to a power generation facility, helping to balance the highly variable nature of wind power throughout the day. Recent comprehensive research highlights how wind energy in the Pacific Northwest can be used at night to compress air into deep underground porous rock formations. When needed, the compressed air can be released to generate electricity, meeting the monthly needs of approximately 85,000 households.
Researchers from the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Bonneville Power Authority have identified two unique energy storage methods and selected a site in eastern Washington State for their implementation. Steve Knudson, who oversaw the study for the Bonneville Power Authority, emphasized that with renewable energy mandates requiring 20% or 30% of electricity to come from sources like wind and solar, CAES plants could play a vital role in integrating these resources into the regional power grid.
Compressed air energy storage works by using excess electricity to compress air and store it in underground geological structures. When demand rises, the stored air is released, heated, and used to drive turbines and generate electricity. Studies show that up to 80% of the energy used to compress the air can be recovered through this process.
Currently, there are only two operational CAES plants worldwide—located in Alabama and Germany—but both use man-made salt caverns for storage. The U.S. research team, however, is exploring a different method: using natural porous rock formations to store compressed air. This technique has gained increasing attention as energy companies seek better ways to integrate renewable energy into the grid.
Over the past decade, the Northwest has seen a significant rise in wind energy, accounting for about 13% of the region's electricity supply—nearly 8,600 megawatts. The challenge of effectively utilizing nighttime wind energy prompted the Department of Energy and the Bonneville Power Authority to investigate new technologies for the area.
During their search for suitable storage sites, the team examined the Columbia Plateau, where thick layers of volcanic basalt were found. They looked for a specific basalt structure located 1,500 feet underground and 30 feet thick, close to high-voltage transmission lines.
Using data from gas exploration drilling in the Hanford Field area of Washington State, the researchers input the information into a specialized computer model called STOMP, which simulates subsurface fluid flow. This allowed them to estimate how much air could be stored and released in various underground locations.
After analysis, the team identified two promising sites in eastern Washington: the Columbia Hills, located near the Columbia River, and the Yajewa Minerals site, situated in the Yakima Gorge area. Each site offers different opportunities for compressed air storage.
The Columbia Hills site is near natural gas pipelines, making it ideal for conventional CAES technology. This system can use a small amount of natural gas to heat the air before it drives a turbine, generating more than twice the electricity of a typical natural gas plant. Researchers plan to build a 207-megawatt CAES plant there.
In contrast, the Yajewa Minerals site is far from gas pipelines, so the team developed a hybrid approach using geothermal energy. This system would utilize underground heat to cool compressors and improve efficiency. Geothermal energy could also be used to heat the compressed air before it is released. A 83-megawatt geothermal CAES plant is planned for this location.
Peter McGill, a researcher at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, described the integration of geothermal energy with CAES as a creative solution that expands the use of geothermal resources.
Both approaches offer long-term energy storage capabilities, which will be especially beneficial during spring when snowmelt and wind resources exceed local demand. These systems will help stabilize the power grid and support the region’s clean energy goals.
The Bonneville Power Authority, in collaboration with the Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Commission, will use the study’s findings to assess the economic benefits of CAES for the region. The results will guide energy companies in developing commercial demonstration projects for compressed air energy storage.
The Installation of Mounting Unit
1. Make the concrete base according to solution drawing, locate embedded bolts and set out strings by Laser Level to ensure the centers of embedded bolts in the same elevation as accurate as possible on vertical, horizontal direction and at end face.
2. Locate the Anchor Plate on the concrete base and adjust the position according to solution drawing(remove M14 washer,M14 spring washer,and M14 nut if they are connected to embedded bolts now),and then fasten M14 washer, M14 spring washer, and M14 nut with the tightening torque of 60N.m.
3.Take out the Hexagon Bolt Kit with Post B Corrugated Gasket M12x95 and remove its nut, spring washer, one washer, and corrugated gasket. Insert the Post A, B, C in to Anchor Plate according to the Hexagon Bolt Kit with Corrugated Gasket M12x95 drawing and then fix them by two sets of Hexagon Bolt Kit with Corrugated Gasket M12*95. Post C Post A
4.Remove the bolt kits M12*90 from all the Posts and Pre-Assembled Supports and unfold the embedded Supports, fasten them on the Posts by bolt kits M12*90 according to the drawing.
Installation of Rails
1.Please check the length of Beam before place it onto the Pre-Assembled Supports, otherwise extend it with Splice forBeam first. There are 4 self-tapping screws in each side and total 8 self- tapping screws in both sides. We strongly recommend NOT extend the Beams on Preassembled Supports.
2.Before locate the Beams, mark the position of the Beam son the surface of Pre-Assembled Supports with maker pens according to solution drawing for easier installation. Place the Beams on the 55*80 Tube of Pre-Assembled Supports and fix it with C Clamp Kits. Install all the Beams in the same step. The tightening torque will be 20N.m. C Clamp Kit Side Beam(Please arrange 3-4 persons to install when the array is long.)
Installation of Solar Panels
1.Place the panels above the Beam 85, fixing it with Wide End Clamp Kit in the side and Inter Clamp Kit in the middle. Install all the panels in the same steps until complete installation of al panels. Fasten all the bolts with tightening torque of 10N.m.
2.Complete installation, and please inspect and make sure all the bolts are fastened.
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