World’s First 300-MW Compressed Air Energy Storage Station

Location: The CAES station is situated in Yingcheng, Hubei province, China.
Capacity: It boasts a single-unit power capacity of 300 megawatts (MW) and an energy storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours (MWh).
Conversion Efficiency: The system achieves an impressive conversion efficiency of about 70 percent.
Records and Benchmarks: This project has set three world records: single-unit power, energy storage scale, and conversion efficiency. Additionally, it established six industry benchmarks and marked a global breakthrough.

How It Works

Compressed Air Storage: The CAES system stores energy by compressing air using excess electricity during low-demand periods.
Release and Power Generation: When demand increases, the compressed air is released, driving turbines to generate electricity.
Salt Mines as Reservoirs: The station utilizes abandoned salt mines for underground air storage, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.

Key Achievements

Localization: During construction, the project achieved 100 percent localization of core technical equipment, overcoming challenges related to process system integration, underground gas storage construction, and key equipment research and development.
Short Construction Period: The station was built in approximately two years, significantly shorter than the construction time for pumped-storage hydroelectricity.
Annual Electricity Generation: The CAES station is expected to generate approximately 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Strategic Importance: CAES, alongside pumped-storage hydroelectricity, plays a crucial role in constructing a new energy system and developing China’s power infrastructure.

The Yingcheng CAES station, dubbed a “super power bank,” represents a remarkable achievement in energy storage technology. Its success paves the way for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions worldwide.