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Compressed air energy storage (CAES)

As renewable power generation from wind and solar grows in its contribution to the world’s energy mix, utilities will need to balance the generation variability of these sustainable resources with demand fluctuations. This paper describes how power-generation operators can use compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology for a reliable, cost-effective, and long-duration energy storage solution at grid scale. Further, it explains how CAES can provide a path to deep grid decarbonization via hydrogen as fuel. The two major components of a CAES system — a compression train and an expander train — are explained. Also included is a comparison of the advantages of CAES technology over lithium ion battery solutions in achieving sufficient storage duration to support high renewable penetration.