Project description
Innovative storage technology could boost renewable energy integration
The EU-funded PUSH-CCC project aims to tackle key challenges of compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology by enhancing its scalability, efficiency, energy density and commercial viability in Europe. Researchers will develop an advanced CAES concept up to technology readiness level (TRL) 4, leveraging AI-optimised heat pump cycles, efficient heat storage technology and a disruptive hierarchical control system. Furthermore, the proposed technology will capture CO2 from the atmosphere. Project activities also involve the construction of an experimental cavern lab in the Canary Islands, which will lead to the first isobaric adiabatic CAES system at TRL4 in Europe. Project outcomes will contribute to accelerating renewable energy integration into the grid.
Objective
PUSH-CCC proposes to solve the key existing limits of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) scalability, replicability, efficiency, and energy density while boosting its cost-effective commercial development in Europe by bringing a breakthrough CAES concept to TRL4, which is based on a novel optimized integration of advanced technology and scientific advances beyond the state of the art, pushing the efficiency and profitability of the volatile-fluid-based isobaric adiabatic Combined Cycle CAES (CCC) patented by RIEGOSUR, a scientifically proven high-potential concept due to the enhancement of turbomachinery efficiency and cavern volume minimization. The construction of an experimental cavern lab in the Canary Islands will lead to the first isobaric adiabatic CAES system at TRL4 in Europe, while meeting the expected outcomes of the Challenge, filling in the existing gaps to accelerate the penetration of renewable energies in the grid.
PUSH-CCC brings together expert partners to solve the key scaling, efficiency and profitability issues by leveraging an AI-based optimized heat pump cycle to minimize the energy requirements of the volatile fluid processes in real-time considering climatological conditions (I), a cost-effective large-scale membrane for suitable operation in the hard-rock cavern (II), optimized turbomachinery for AA-CAES applications (single-stage compressor) (III), a cost-effective, efficient heat storage technology based on innovative heat exchangers and heat storage medium (IV), a disruptive AI-based hierarchical control system (V); bringing a high-efficient (>80%), cost-effective technology with high replication potential (high energy density 11.8 kWh/m3 allows hard rock areas which are a major part of the continental land-use). Autonomous plants will operate with atmospheric air and closed loop water & CO2, which will be captured (10 kTn of CO2 per year for a standard 500 MW plant) from the overloaded atmosphere with an innovative system.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systems
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energy
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringthermodynamic engineeringheat engineering
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC GrantsCoordinator
41011 SEVILLA
Spain