Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) harnesses the properties of air in its liquid state to store and redistribute energy at scale. This article discusses the concept of LAES, explaining how it works, its historical development, advantages and disadvantages, and its future potential in the global energy landscape.
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How Does Liquid Air Energy Storage Work?
LAES uses air in its liquefied form as a medium for storing energy. Air, a mix of gases, can be cooled to cryogenic temperatures (-196 °C) to condense it into a liquid state, which is then stored at low pressure.
This transformation allows a large volume of air to be stored in a relatively small space, ready to be converted back into a gaseous state to generate power when needed.1,2
The process involves three primary stages:
Liquefaction: During periods of low electricity demand or surplus renewable energy generation, ambient air is drawn into the system. The air is filtered to remove impurities like dust and water vapor, ensuring optimal performance. It is then compressed and cooled in multiple stages to reach cryogenic temperatures. At this point, the air condenses into a liquid state and is stored in insulated, low-pressure tanks. This stage typically uses electricity from renewable sources, making the system environmentally friendly.1,2
Storage: The liquefied air is held in specialized cryogenic tanks to minimize thermal losses. These tanks are insulated to ensure the liquid air remains at low temperatures. Because liquid air has a very low evaporation rate, it can be stored for extended periods without significant losses, making it suitable for short-term and long-term energy storage.1,2
Power Recovery: When electricity demand rises, or there is a need to balance the grid, the stored liquid air is drawn from the tanks. It is pumped to high pressure using specialized cryogenic pumps and then exposed to ambient or waste heat. As the liquid air absorbs heat, it expands rapidly into a gaseous state. The expanding air drives turbines connected to generators, converting the stored energy back into electricity. The process is highly dynamic and can be adjusted to meet varying energy demands.1,2
To improve efficiency, modern LAES systems integrate thermal energy storage. During the liquefaction stage, the process generates both cold and heat. The system achieves better round-trip efficiency by capturing and reusing this thermal energy during the power recovery stage. The integration of industrial waste heat or cold can further enhance the overall energy recovery process.1,2
Historical Development of Liquid Air Energy Storage
Utilizing cryogenic liquids for energy storage has been around for decades, but it gained significant traction as a feasible solution in the early 21st century. In 2010, a notable pilot project developed by the University of Leeds and Highview Power showcased a cryogenic energy system at an 80 MW biomass power station in Slough, United Kingdom.
This successful initiative paved the way for further advancements. Subsequently, Highview Power launched a grid-scale demonstrator at the Pilsworth Landfill facility in Bury, Greater Manchester, which began operations in April 2018. This facility had a storage capacity of up to 15 MWh and could generate a peak supply of 5 MW, showcasing the scalability of LAES technology.3,4
Liquid Air Energy Storage: Zero emissions, Zero waste
Video Credit: Sumitomo SHI FW/YouTube.com
Advantages of LAES
LAES offers a unique combination of innovation and sustainability that meets the growing need for clean energy storage. It provides several key benefits for modern energy systems.
Scalability
LAES systems can be scaled to store large amounts of energy, making them suitable for grid-scale applications.1,2
Geographical flexibility
Unlike pumped hydro storage, which requires specific topographical features, LAES plants can be situated in various locations, including urban areas, as they do not rely on particular geographical conditions.1,2
Long lifespan
The components used in LAES systems, such as cryogenic storage tanks and turbines, have long operational lifespans, contributing to the durability and reliability of the technology.1,2
Environmental benefits
LAES utilizes air as the storage medium, which is abundant and non-toxic, resulting in minimal environmental impact compared to other storage technologies.1,2
Disadvantages of LAES
While beneficial, LAES systems encounter challenges such as efficiency and capital costs. Their round-trip efficiency typically falls between 50% and 70%, which is lower than that of lithium-ion batteries.
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Efforts are underway to enhance this efficiency by integrating waste heat and cold from industrial processes. The initial investment for LAES facilities can be substantial, around £500 per kilowatt-hour in early 2025, though costs are anticipated to decline with technological advancements and scaling.1,2
Recent Developments in Liquid Air Energy Storage
LAES has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, further solidifying its role in the clean energy landscape.
Large-scale implementation in the UK
Highview Power has announced plans to construct four long-duration energy storage facilities, each with a capacity of 2.5 GWh, starting with a site at Hunterston, Scotland. These projects aim to support the UK's net-zero grid target by 2030.5
Technological collaborations
In July 2024, Sumitomo SHI FW and Siemens Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop LAES solutions for the global market. This partnership focuses on advancing LAES technology and expanding its adoption worldwide.6
Policy support in the UK
The UK government introduced a "cap and floor" revenue mechanism in October 2024 to incentivize the development of long-duration energy storage technologies, including LAES. This policy aims to provide financial stability for investors and accelerate the deployment of large-scale energy storage solutions.5
Future Prospects and Conclusion
Looking ahead, the future of LAES appears promising. As the demand for clean energy storage solutions grows, LAES offers a viable option for storing surplus renewable energy and ensuring grid stability.
Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving the efficiency and reducing the costs of LAES systems. For instance, integrating LAES with other technologies, such as high-temperature thermal energy storage, has been proposed to enhance performance and environmental friendliness. Moreover, the scalability and geographical flexibility of LAES make it an attractive choice for various regions seeking to enhance their energy storage capabilities.1,2
In conclusion, LAES represents a significant advancement in the field of energy storage technologies. By utilizing the properties of liquid air, LAES provides a scalable, flexible, and environmentally friendly solution to the challenges of integrating renewable energy into the power grid.
References and Further Reading
- Damak, C. et al. (2020). Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) as a large-scale storage technology for renewable energy integration – A review of investigation studies and near perspectives of LAES. International Journal of Refrigeration, 110, 208-218. DOI:10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2019.11.009. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140700719304748
- Vecchi, A. et al. (2021). Liquid air energy storage (LAES): A review on technology state-of-the-art, integration pathways and future perspectives. Advances in Applied Energy, 3, 100047. DOI:10.1016/j.adapen.2021.100047. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666792421000391
- Borri, E. et al. (2021). A review on liquid air energy storage: History, state of the art and recent developments. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 137, 110572. DOI:10.1016/j.rser.2020.110572. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364032120308571
- Highview Power launches world’s first grid-scale liquid air energy storage plant. Highview Power. https://highviewpower.com/news_announcement/world-first-liquid-air-energy-storage-plant/
- Four 2.5 GWh long-duration energy storage systems announced for the UK by 2030 - Energy Storage. PV Magazine, Energy Storage. https://www.ess-news.com/2024/10/15/four-2-5-gwh-long-duration-energy-storage-systems-announced-for-the-uk-by-2030/
- Sumitomo SHI FW collaborates with Siemens Energy to advance Long Duration Energy Storage market with technology that uses clean air. Sumitomo SHI FW. https://www.shi-fw.com/insights/news-and-updates/sumitomo-shi-fw-collaborates-with-siemens-energy-to-advance-long-duration-energy-storage-market-with-technology-that-uses-clean-air/
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