Cryogenics in Renewable Energy Storage: A Review of Technologies

Arian Semedo (), João Garcia and Moisés Brito
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Arian Semedo: (UNIDEMI) Research Unit of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of the Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
João Garcia: (UnIRE) Unit for Innovation and Research in Engineering Polytechnic University of Lisbon, Rua Conselheiro Emídio Navarro 1, 1959-007 Lisbon, Portugal
Moisés Brito: (UNIDEMI) Research Unit of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of the Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-23

Abstract: The increase in the exploration of renewable energy sources intensifies the need for efficient storage solutions to mitigate the inherent intermittence of these sources. Among the available technologies, cryogenic energy storage (CES) systems stand out as a major and promising technology due to their high scalability, energy efficiency, and potential for integration with other systems. This paper deals with cryogenic approaches, focused on Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES). Several topics are addressed, including the characterization of the CES systems, their working principle, with special relevance to efficiency and temperature/entropy diagram, the conception and the technical challenges, design, and construction of CES. LAES demonstrates energy efficiencies ranging from 45% to 70%, potentially reaching up to 75% with the integration of complementary technologies, with capital costs ranging from 900 EUR/kW to 1750/EUR/kW. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-based systems, while more energy-efficient (40% to 60%), face significant barriers due to high infrastructure costs. Additionally, hybrid configurations that combine advanced thermal cycles and waste heat management achieve efficiencies between 55% and 80%, showing adaptability in complex energy scenarios. In comparison with alternatives such as batteries and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES), despite economic and technological limitations, CES systems have a promising role in the global energy transition, particularly with anticipated advancements that will enhance their competitiveness and economic viability.

Keywords: cryogenic energy storage (CES); energy storage; liquid air energy storage (LAES); electric energy storage; liquefied gases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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