Israeli company Augwind Energy has confirmed the installation of its first commercial-scale AirBattery system in Germany. The system is based on the use of compressed air stored in salt caverns to generate electricity. generation of electricity at times of high demand or low renewable production.
AirBattery energy storage system
AirBattery’ s operation is based on a simple but powerful idea: compressing air using surplus renewable electricity, storing it in deep salt caverns and then releasing it to drive turbine generators. This storage procedure typically provides between 2 and 8 hours of backup, a technology that is designed to cover days, weeks or even months of demand.
The natural density of salt allows caverns to be hermetically sealed without risk of leakage, a practice used for natural gas storage. storage of natural gas. With this same geological basis, Augwind aims to achieve a capacity of between 3 and 8 GWh per cavern, depending on the specific conditions of the chosen site.
Germany has an important need to cover, using long-term energy storage systems, especially where solar and wind generation has exceeded 50 % of the electricity mix. Some climatic phenomena such as the “Dunkelflaute”, periods without wind and sun, accentuate the importance of technologies capable of keeping the grid stable.
Augwind will work in collaboration with local cavern operators, utilities and industrial consumers to define the final location. The cost per unit installed is estimated to be between €7 million and €15 million, with an expected return of $10 to $15 USD per kWh stored over several weeks.
The AirBattery system isa sustainable alternative to the intensive use of critical minerals in lithium batteries. By using local, non-metallic materials, it minimizes the environmental footprint of energy storage. In addition, by using the renewable surplus for its operation, it reduces pressure on the grid and strengthens national energy security.
This project will be ready in approximately 12 to 18 months, taking into account the time required for permitting, construction and commissioning. Although the final industrial partners have not yet been disclosed, interest within the European electricity market is growing.
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Source and photo: Augwind Energy
