MODELING OF A BUILDING-SCALE LIQUID AIR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM WITH ASPEN HYSYS

Abstract

Solar and wind power generation suffer from intermittency. Consequently, renewable-powered microgrids require a traditional electrical grid or an energy storage system to fill the power gaps. Liquid air energy storage (LAES) is a promising method for scalable energy storage. LAES systems combine three mature technologies—cryogenics, expansion turbines, and induction power generation—into a system of systems. The resultant behavior of this complex system is difficult to predict through analysis alone. Aspen HYSYS, an industrial process modeling and simulation package, was used to create a model of a building-scale cryogenic system based upon a Linde-Hampson cycle. Steady-state cryogenic operations were simulated and model output was validated against a theoretical fundamental comparison. This validated model was then used to implement a parametric, model-based systems engineering approach to design a LAES system for integration into a renewable-powered microgrid at the Naval Postgraduate School’s turbo-propulsion lab to counter intermittency. This work is part of a larger effort to evaluate the efficacy of potential energy storage solutions for naval facilities or forward operating bases.