Investment cost per watt of compressed air energy storage

What is compressed air energy storage?

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is one of the many energy storage options that can store electric energy in the form of potential energy (compressed air) and can be deployed near central power plants or distribution centers. In response to demand, the stored energy can be discharged by expanding the stored air with a turboexpander generator.

Which energy storage technologies are included in the 2020 cost and performance assessment?

The 2020 Cost and Performance Assessment provided installed costs for six energy storage technologies: lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, lead-acid batteries, vanadium redox flow batteries, pumped storage hydro, compressed-air energy storage, and hydrogen energy storage.

How much money do you need to invest in energy storage?

Most investment levels are in the $10 million to $30 million range and require investments over 3 to 5 years. Compressed air and hydrogen energy storage systems and demonstration projects require significant investments and industry collaboration.

What is the cost of energy storage?

The cost of energy storage varies by technology. According to a 2018 report by RedT Energy Storage, the cost of their Gen 2 machines starts at $490/kWh.

What is the annualized cost of pumped storage?

Pumped storage, when additionally compared on an energy basis, offered a very low cost of $19/kWh-yr using 2018 values.

What are the most cost-effective energy storage technologies?

PSH (Pumped Hydropower Storage) and CAES (Compressed Air Energy Storage) are the most cost-effective energy storage technologies evaluated within this report, on a $/kWh basis.