Mathematical Modelling of Large-Scale Compressed Air Energy Storage Systems

With the rapid increase of power generation from intermittent renewable energy, it is very challenging to maintain the power system safe and reliable operation. Meanwhile, the consumption of electricity is not kept a constant value throughout minutes, hours, days, weeks and seasons, which increases the complexity and risk of grid instability. To address these challenges, one of the viable options is to extend the applications of energy storage technology in power systems. At present, the large-scale energy storage technologies applied to power systems mainly include pumped hydroelectric storage and compressed air energy storage system (CAES). The intension of this paper is to present a modelling method for the main components of large-scale CAES such as centrifugal compressor, radial expander, air reservoir and generator. The models presented in this paper are verified by using the operation data of an existing CAES power station and some data extracted from other literatures. Finally, the whole CAES system is simulated to study characteristics of the system using the model presented.