Inter-seasonal compressed-air energy storage using saline aquifers

Julien Mouli-Castillo (), Mark Wilkinson, Dimitri Mignard, Christopher McDermott, R. Stuart Haszeldine and Zoe K. Shipton
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Julien Mouli-Castillo: University of Edinburgh
Mark Wilkinson: University of Edinburgh
Dimitri Mignard: University of Edinburgh
Christopher McDermott: University of Edinburgh
R. Stuart Haszeldine: University of Edinburgh
Zoe K. Shipton: University of Strathclyde

Nature Energy, 2019, vol. 4, issue 2, 131-139

Abstract: Abstract Meeting inter-seasonal fluctuations in electricity production or demand in a system dominated by renewable energy requires the cheap, reliable and accessible storage of energy on a scale that is currently challenging to achieve. Commercially mature compressed-air energy storage could be applied to porous rocks in sedimentary basins worldwide, where legacy data from hydrocarbon exploration are available, and if geographically close to renewable energy sources. Here we present a modelling approach to predict the potential for compressed-air energy storage in porous rocks. By combining this with an extensive geological database, we provide a regional assessment of this potential for the United Kingdom. We find the potential storage capacity is equivalent to approximately 160% of the United Kingdom’s electricity consumption for January and February 2017 (77–96 TWh), with a roundtrip energy efficiency of 54–59%. This UK storage potential is achievable at costs in the range US$0.42–4.71 kWh−1.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-018-0311-0

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