Multiple cavern compressed air energy storage system and method

Abstract

An energy system for storing pressurized air and utilizing the pressurized air to generate electricity includes a first storage cavern, a second storage cavern, an air compressor in fluid communication with the first and second storage caverns, an electric generating mechanism, a combustion chamber, a controller and a recuperator. The air compressor is in fluid communication with a compressor piping system, the electric generating mechanism and the combustion chamber are in fluid communication with a generator piping system and the recuperator is in fluid communication with an exhaust piping system and the generator piping system. The controller is configured to operate the energy system such that the compressor directs compressed air into the first storage cavern through the compressor piping system at the same time the electric generating mechanism generates electricity utilizing at least compressed air from the second cavern.

1 . An energy system for storing pressurized air and utilizing the pressurized air to generate electricity, the energy system comprising:
 a first storage cavern;   a second storage cavern separate from the first storage cavern;   an air compressor in fluid communication with the first and second storage caverns through a compressor piping system, the air compressor configured to provide pressurized air to the first and second caverns through the compressor piping system;   an electric generating mechanism in fluid communication with the first and second storage caverns through a generator piping system, the compressor piping system being separate from the generator piping system;   a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the generator piping system and upstream of airflow relative to the electric generating mechanism, the combustion chamber configured to preheat the pressurized air flowing to the electric generating mechanism;   a controller in communication with the air compressor, the electric generating mechanism, the compressor piping system and the generator piping system, the controller configured to operate the energy system such that the air compressor directs compressed air into the first storage cavern through the compressor piping system at the same time the electric generating mechanism generates electricity utilizing at least compressed air from the second cavern; and   a recuperator in fluid communication with the electric generating mechanism through an exhaust piping system, the exhaust piping system including an exhaust and being separate from the generator piping system and the compressor piping system, the recuperator configured to transfer heat energy from exhaust air of the electric generating mechanism to the generator piping system.   
     
     
         2 . The energy system of  claim 1  wherein the air compressor is powered by one of an alternative energy generator and off-peak electrical energy from a power grid. 
     
     
         3 . The energy system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third storage cavern being in fluid communication with the air compressor through the compressor piping system and the electric generating mechanism through the generator piping system.   
     
     
         4 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor piping system includes a compressor valve, a first cavern inlet valve and a second cavern inlet valve, the generator piping system including a generator valve, a first cavern outlet valve and a second cavern outlet valve, the controller configured to actuate the air compressor, the first cavern inlet, the second cavern outlet and the generator valves to an open position and the first cavern outlet and the second cavern inlet valves to a closed position when the air compressor directs compressed air into the first storage cavern at the same time the electric generating mechanism generates electricity utilizing at least the compressed air from the second cavern. 
     
     
         5 . The energy system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a storage vessel in fluid communication with the compressor piping system, the storage vessel mounted at a ground level.