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More On Compressed Air
Seems like compressed air is gaining speed in the press. [Sorry about the printer dialog popup with the link.]
Compressed Air Plant Could be National Model - Al.com - 31 Aug 08
"PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, then called Alabama Electric Cooperative, built the world's second compressed air energy storage plant atop a Washington County salt dome in 1991. The first was built in Huntorf, Germany in 1978."
"Electric power industry groups were promoting compressed air energy storage at the time and gave PowerSouth $8 million toward the $65 million project to induce the cooperative to try the technology. Plus, PowerSouth had access to a salt dome, replicating the German setup for storing air.
'Somebody had to be first,' said Lee Davis, who manages the 13-employee plant. In the winter, peak times might only be short periods in the morning and evening, said Ron Graham, energy resources manager for PowerSouth. On hot days, the afternoon and evening peak, driven by air-conditioning needs, might last six to eight hours."
"'In the near future, the grid can handle it [wind and solar sources],' Denholm said. 'The nation can get 20 percent of its electricity from wind without the need for storage.' But beyond 20 percent, everyone agrees that ways to store energy will be a must, making it important to get ready now. 'At that point, storage is going to be critical,' Succar said. 'We need as much industrial experience as possible in a lot of different types of geology and with many different vendors.'"
Compressed Air Plant Could be National Model - Al.com - 31 Aug 08
"PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, then called Alabama Electric Cooperative, built the world's second compressed air energy storage plant atop a Washington County salt dome in 1991. The first was built in Huntorf, Germany in 1978."
"Electric power industry groups were promoting compressed air energy storage at the time and gave PowerSouth $8 million toward the $65 million project to induce the cooperative to try the technology. Plus, PowerSouth had access to a salt dome, replicating the German setup for storing air.
'Somebody had to be first,' said Lee Davis, who manages the 13-employee plant. In the winter, peak times might only be short periods in the morning and evening, said Ron Graham, energy resources manager for PowerSouth. On hot days, the afternoon and evening peak, driven by air-conditioning needs, might last six to eight hours."
"'In the near future, the grid can handle it [wind and solar sources],' Denholm said. 'The nation can get 20 percent of its electricity from wind without the need for storage.' But beyond 20 percent, everyone agrees that ways to store energy will be a must, making it important to get ready now. 'At that point, storage is going to be critical,' Succar said. 'We need as much industrial experience as possible in a lot of different types of geology and with many different vendors.'"