Overview
The Role of Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)
Solar and wind power are inherently variable. When the sun shines brightly or the wind blows robustly, energy production can exceed immediate demand. Conversely, during nights or periods of low wind, these systems may underproduce. To smooth out these fluctuations and maintain grid reliability, large-scale, long-duration energy storage solutions are essential. Our recently patented method addresses this need by storing compressed air in ocean-based facilities with exceptionally high round-trip efficiency.
Isothermal Compression in the Ocean: A Game Changer
Traditionally, Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) methods generate large amounts of heat during compression, reducing overall efficiency. By using our innovative compression technique and locating storage vessels under the ocean’s surface, we are able to leverage the surrounding water pressure to naturally cool the compressed air, essentially removing the heat generated from compression completely. This process is referred to as isothermal compression, because the temperature of the air remains nearly constant. The result is a higher round-trip efficiency compared to land-based compressed air systems that require complex (and often costly) thermal management solutions.
Key Advantages
Efficiency
Harnessing the ocean waters cooling properties drastically reduces energy losses tied to managing compression heat. Round trip efficiencies can reach near 70 percent without introducing additional resources such as fossil fuels or preheating air during expansion into the turbine.
Scalability
The world’s coastlines provide broad, accessible opportunities for deploying these systems. Most people live close to coasts, which means reduced transmission distances and simpler logistics to get power where its needed the most.
Minimal Environmental Impact
When storing air in rigid containers under the sea (or in engineered subsea structures), design considerations are engineered to avoid any negative effects on local marine ecosystems. Never a toxic or harmful chemical is used during the entire process of storing air. This method plays a double role of storing energy, and sequestering atmospheric C02.
Energy Security
Large volumes of stored air can be released on demand to drive turbines, providing consistent and reliable base-load or peak power support.
How It Works in Practice
Compression
Excess energy from renewables (solar, wind, etc.) drives compressors, pushing atmospheric air into underwater storage vessels at depths of 100+ meters (330+ feet).
Natural Cooling
Ocean pressure and surrounding water cool the air nearly isothermally as its compressed, reducing thermal energy loss and allowing for more energy to be reclaimed later.
Energy Release
When power is needed, stored air is released, spins turbines, and feeds electricity back into the grid.
Looking Ahead
Our ocean-based isothermal CAES system bridges a critical gap in the global shift to renewable energy. By enhancing round-trip efficiency and offering large-scale, long-duration storage, this technology empowers communities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels without sacrificing reliability. As renewable generation accelerates worldwide, innovative storage solutions like ours will be key to realizing a truly carbon-neutral future.
If you have questions or would like more information on how our patented technology can serve your clean energy goals, please get in touch. Together, we can build a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape—one that harnesses the vast potential of ocean-driven compressed air storage.
