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NETWORK / 31 / JULY/AUGUST 2018 power generation, providing stabilisation services to transmission grids and distribu- tion networks, and acting as a source of backup power to large-scale end users. Yoav Zingher, CEO at Kiwi Power, remarked: "LAES technology enables end-users to balance the national electric - ity network at times of peak demand. By drawing energy from a diverse range of low-carbon storage assets, companies can not only balance the grid, but also help meet rising energy demand, and respond to changing patterns of consumption on a local and national level. Given the high uptake of renewable energy in the UK, this is the technology that will allow the future grid to maintain system inertia and ensure the lights stay on." LAES at scale LAES technology is one of few storage tech- nologies that can meet the energy demand of urban areas the size of small towns up to large cities; this translates as plants from 10MW to 200MW+ power output, with a storage capacity of 40MWh to more than 2000MWh+. Brett adds: "This is high pow - ered energy storage capable of powering a town of 100,000 average-sized homes, and for many hours, not just one or two." LAES plants at scale however, would feed straight into national transmission power networks, rather than through an aggregator. A long duration system makes it possible to move, say, a 12-hour block of energy from day to night. LAES overcomes the intermit - tency problem that arises since the sun does not always shine, and wind is also incon- sistent; LAES is also a solution to the long gaps in output when the sun does not shine at night. The future With LAES technology now being proven at scale, the plant paves the way for the wider adoption of LAES technology globally. wind, solar, hydro and biomass, accounted for just over 29 per cent of electricity genera- tion last year, up from a quarter the year before, with a further 21 per cent coming from nuclear power. Brett adds: "It is critical that new capac- ity coming into the energy system moves us a step closer towards decarbonisation. LAES is emission free and therefore an environ- mentally positive storage option. As more governments legislate away from high-car- bon energy sources, it seems that our LAES technology is being commercialised at just the right time." He continued: "The global deployment of storage is growing exponentially – we are now at an inflection point where the requirement for long duration energy stor- age is gaining recognition as a more useful and intelligent way to help balance the grid, rather than relying on lithium ion batter- ies, which are more suited to short duration applications." To increase the storage capacity, LAES can be expanded by adding another tank. In contrast, a one-hour battery would scale adding more one hour batteries, and depending on the additional capacity required, this could be prohibitive if there are space constraints. In LAES systems, power and energy are separate; the power turbine and liquefier set how much energy can be taken to (dis)charge; and the tanks dictate how much energy the system can store. The tanks are the lowest cost part – if more energy is required, adding more tanks is straightforward and makes for a very low marginal cost of storage. What is liquid air energy storage? LAES technology makes use of a freely avail- able resource, the air, which turns to liquid when cooled down to -196°C (-320˚F). This is then stored very efficiently in insulated, low pressure vessels. Exposure to ambient temperatures causes rapid re-gasification and a 700-fold expansion in volume, which is then used to drive a turbine and create electricity without combustion. Unlike chemical-based technologies, a Highview Power plant operates using a thermodynamic cycle that can interface with co-located thermal processes such as LNG regasification plants, peaking plants and industrial applications. Brett adds: "Our LAES technology is entirely repeatable, can be designed by us and then procured and built by construction companies. Customers have peace of mind because all the components are supplied by established, reputable manufacturers." LAES technology provides services at all levels of the electricity system: supporting Brett points to the windfarm on the ho - rizon, roughly 10 miles from the Pilsworth plant - "The LAES plants at scale that we are targeting for UK utilities this year, and energy suppliers further afield next year, will make it possible to easily store the clean electricity generated by local renew - able power stations, such as wind and solar farms ready to fill in the long gaps in output of their intermittent sources. This will help to significantly increase the proportion of reliable or 'firm' low carbon electricity avail - able to consumers even when there is no wind blowing or sun shining." The deployment of smart, flexible tech- nologies such as LAES are now coming to- gether, supported by new, exciting collabo- rations along the supply chain. This level of innovation bodes well for the development of a modern low-carbon energy system, sup- plying power to help people and economies thrive, without destroying the planet. Benefits of LAES Location independent, so can be deployed close to energy demand, unlike pumped hydro or compressed air. l Zero free. l Can scale from tens to hundreds of Megawatts. l The technology draws from established processes from the turbo-machinery, power generation and industrial gas sectors. l Plants are built using components readily sourced from large OEMs and established suppliers, so have proven operating life times and performances. l Plants comprise mostly of steel and have a lifespan of between 30 to 40 years, in comparison with around 10 years for batteries. l No use of scare, exotic or harmful chemicals. l At end of life, a LAES plant can be decommissioned and the steel recycled. How it works