Some energy storage systems are so simple they seem imponderable at first. Take hydro power for example, where we use surplus energy to move weighty water to a higher level. And then release it through a turbine using the power of gravity to generate electricity when we need it. A company by the name of Energy Dome is doing something similar by storing energy in CO2 gas under pressure.
Storing Energy in CO2 Gas Under Pressure Is a Winner
The ‘closed thermodynamic transformation’ system is one of 12 recipients of Bloomberg’s 2022 New Energy Finance awards. That’s because the judges believe it ‘makes long-duration energy storage an economically viable proposition’ and that’s quite something!
The giant energy dome contains carbon dioxide gas. When the operator ‘charges the battery’ they withdraw gas from the store, and then use surplus electricity to compress it in separate tanks. This compressed gas remains at ambient temperature, but is in a ‘high density supercritical or liquid state’. The ‘giant battery’ is thereby charged by storing energy in CO2 gas under pressure.
Releasing Stored Energy to Generate Electricity as Needed
The stored energy is now available at highly competitive cost. It could remain in the high-pressure tanks until an emergency, such as severe weather disabled regular utility supply. But it could also stabilize a local grid during peak demand.
Energy Dome Voltage Regulation / Energy Stacking Modes (Image Energy Dome)
As the case may be, the operator could then release the high-pressure gas through a reheated turbine on demand to generate electricity. There would be no leakage of CO2 gas from the closed system into the atmosphere.
We therefore can’t help comparing the pressure dome to a ‘giant creature’ gently breathing in an out in response to demand and supply. We can imagine a fully-automated system serving a giant solar, or wind farm in harmony with nature. What a fantastic vision to come true.
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