China’s Energy Storage Aspirations: The Airy Rise of Giant CAES Projects

There are quite a few methods of energy storage, and China is now preparing to build the largest compressed air-based storage facility. Officials from Henan Province have already approved the project by ZCGN, the largest operator of such storages in China. The new storage will have a capacity of 700 MW and 4,200 MWh.

Construction is expected to begin next year. Once operational, it will become one of the largest independent energy storage facilities in the country, regardless of type. The storage will provide peak load smoothing, frequency regulation, and backup power for the western part of Henan Province.

The estimated construction costs are $677-$847 million. During low-demand periods, the installation will store compressed air in an underground cavity and release it during peak consumption to power a turbo expander. Compressors compress the air to high pressure, which is then pumped into underground reservoirs. When needed, the air is released, where it expands and drives a turbine that generates electricity.

Currently, the world’s largest storage of this type seems to be the Huaneng Jintan Salt Cavern CAES Plant, with the same power of 700 MW but a capacity of only 2,800 MWh. Understanding this, recent advancements in CAES technology, such as improved thermodynamic efficiency and higher energy recovery rates, are now being integrated into plants like ZCGN’s, enhancing their scalability and sustainability in energy grids.

Financially, the project’s viability hinges on the substantial economic benefits projected. Compared to other energy storage technologies like lithium-ion batteries, CAES offers a cost-effective solution due to its longer lifecycle and lower operational expenses. Hence, investments in CAES continue to be deemed highly feasible, aligning with both China’s national energy goals and the immediate energy management needs in regions like Henan.

Notably, ZCGN is leveraged by its extensive expertise and innovative strides in CAES projects, positioning it at the forefront of the market. Their prior successes have paved the way for aggressive expansion, driving competitive advantages that reinforce both technological insights and growing industry influence.