PUSH-CCC proposesto solve the key existing limits of Compressed Air EnergyStorage (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 realtime considering climatological conditions (I), a cost-effective large-scale membrane for suitable operation in the hardrock 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 AIbased 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.
As stated in the proposal, the global goal of PUSH-CCC is to research, develop and validate at proof-of-concept level, a large-scale breakthrough advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) technology based on the optimal orchestration of equipment and thermodynamic cycles, and scientific advances beyond the state of the art applied to the isobaric adiabatic Combined Cycle CAES (CCC) concept developed by RIEGOSUR (with granted European, USA and other countries patent applications). This global goal remains, of course, fully in force.
