Compressed Air Energy Storage

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems are being developed for peak load leveling applications by electric utilities. Energy is stored by compressing air in an underground reservoir; when power is required, the air is heated and expanded through a turbine-generator system. Several CAES plants are being designed, and construction of the first large-scale plant will be completed late in 1977. From the specifications of these systems, it is concluded that CAES systems appear to be economically favored over gas turbines and other near-term utility storage systems for a substantial range of costs of fuel and off-peak charging power.