Liquid air energy storage (LAES): A review on technology state-of-the-art, integration pathways and future perspectives

Abstract

Energy system decarbonisation pathways rely, to a considerable extent, on electricity storage to mitigate the volatility of renewables and ensure high levels of flexibility to future power grids. In this context, liquid air energy storage (LAES) has recently emerged as feasible solution to provide 10-100s MW power output and a storage capacity of GWhs. High energy density and ease of deployment are only two of the many favourable features of LAES, when compared to incumbent storage technologies, which are driving LAES transition from the concept proposed in 1977 to a real-life option. Two plants (350 kW and 5 MW) have been successfully built and demonstrated by Highview Power, and a 50 MW/25..