纽约州立电力和燃气公司日前获得100万美元以继续推进其压缩空气发电项目的进程。
该项资金来源于纽约州能源研发当局，将通过在Schuyler村落的一个咸水洞穴内的压缩空气储能设施来评估该项技术的的潜力。
该项技术评估将于今年完成，如果技术和经济性可行，纽约州立电力和燃气公司计划获得州联邦政府的批准以建立压缩空气储能场。如果一切顺利，该储能场将于2014年底获2015年初投入使用。
Rochester, N.Y.
– Is it practical to compress air, store it in a salt cavern and then use it as needed to generate electricity? NYSEG has received $1 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to help answer that question by eva luating the potential of an innovative, environmentally-friendly compressed air energy storage (CAES) facility in the Town of Reading (Schuyler County) about four miles north of Watkins Glen.
Last November, NYSEG announced the commencement of its Phase 1 engineering eva luation following the execution of a $29.6-million Cooperative Funding Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the agency’s Smart Grid Demonstration Program.
How Compressed Air Energy Storage Works
Compressed air is pumped into a depleted underground salt cavern using low-cost, off-peak electricity to power the compressors. The compressed air from the cavern is then released to spin a turbine and generate electricity as needed, particularly during times of high customer demand.
“We are delighted that NYSERDA has chosen to support this exciting opportunity that could help us continue to meet the growing demand for electricity in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Mark S. Lynch, president of NYSEG and RG&E. “Storing electricity in the form of compressed air for use at times of peak demand has considerably less impact on the environment than operating fossil-fuel generators to meet peak demand.”
“This innovative project helps accelerate growth of the energy storage industry in New York
State,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA. “Energy storage technology has the potential to help transform the renewable power generation sector, stabilize the power grid and decrease the use of fossil fuels in the state. We are pleased to partner with NYSEG to explore the possibilities of this exciting technology.”
Supporting Renewable Energy and System Reliability
CAES has the capability to match clean, off-peak renewable energy with peak load requirements and can reduce the need to operate fossil fuel-fired generating units during peak load periods.
In addition, because of its quick startup capability, the proposed facility could provide valuable power grid stability by leveling out rapid changes in generation from nearby wind farms – when excess wind generation is available it could be used to compress air at the CAES facility; when winds subside and wind generation diminishes, the CAES facility could generate electricity to help make up for the lost wind generation. Further, with the continuing development of wind energy in central and western New York
, the need for fast-reacting grid stabilizing technologies is growing.
NYSEG’s proposed facility could operate for up to 16 hours using the stored compressed air.
What’s Next
The Phase 1 engineering eva luation, to be completed late this year, will test the technical and economic viability of CAES technology as a tool to support electricity transmission system stability and a catalyst for continued development of renewable energy.
If the engineering eva luation confirms that CAES is feasible and economical, NYSEG would seek approval from state and federal agencies to proceed with construction of the plant. If NYSEG decides to build the plant and receives all necessary approvals, the facility would be on line by late 2014 or early 2015.
Under the DOE agreement, NYSEG will share all development and operational experience so it can be used for possible future development of similar facilities.