The largest battery energy storage system based on cryotechnology will soon be launched in Europe . UK start-up Highview Power has begun work in Manchester on the construction of a 50 MW, 250 MWh CRYOBattery complex. The CRYOBattery project is being implemented by Highview Power in partnership with Carlton Power .
How it works? By capturing atmospheric air, the CRYOBattery system will compress it at ultra-low temperatures (-196 ° C), which turns the air into a liquid. It will be stored in tanks with thermal insulation and low pressure. Heating will return the air to a gaseous state. The gas will power the turbines of generators that will generate electricity.
The goal of the project is to help the UK integrate renewable energy sources into the overall energy infrastructure and stabilize the operation of the regional network. This will ensure stable energy supplies to the regions. In addition, the system will help neutralize the negative impact of blackouts and other network disruptions.
One of the advantages of the project is its relatively small footprint and the ability to quickly scale up if necessary. If the pilot shows himself well, in the future it is plannedconstruction of five similar factories in the country. According to Javier Cavada, President of Highview Power, today it is the first and only project of its kind in Europe that is completely ready to work with ultra-low temperatures for energy storage.
The UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has provided a grant for the project in the amount of £ 10 million. The amount will be used to build the system itself, as well as to create a visitor center. The opening of this information center is scheduled for the first quarter of 2021. Visitors will be able to see how the construction process is going on and take virtual tours of the complex.
Two multi-megawatt demonstration test units have already been erected at UK Highview Power. CRYOBattery is expected to launch in 2023. The design capacity will be enough to service 50 thousand houses for five hours.
For the first time, the construction of a new complex on the site of an unnamed decommissioned thermal power plant in the north of the country was announced in 2019. Then Javier Kavada said that the existing electrical infrastructure and existing network connections will be used for construction. It will not be required to build new power lines for the facility, which can significantly reduce the cost of the project.
