MAN partnering on liquid-air energy storage facility

MAN Energy Solutions has finalized a partnership with Highview Power on a liquid-air energy-storage facility in the UK.

Highview Power, a leader in long-duration, energy-storage solutions, is currently constructing its CRYOBattery facility, a 50 MW liquid-air, energy-storage facility – with a minimum of 250MWh – at Carrington Village, Greater Manchester.

“Carrington is a unique project and a litmus test for the future of zero-carbon storage technology, not just in the United Kingdom but globally,” said Wayne Jones OBE, chief sales officer and member of the Executive Board of MAN Energy Solutions. “Indeed, many interested parties will be watching developments closely. Simply put, the technology’s potential is limitless – we already see multiple opportunities for its further application beyond this project’s successful conclusion. For the first project to happen in my hometown is even better!”

Graphical rendering of the Highview Power CRYOBattery plant.

The liquid-air energy-storage plant uses cryogenically liquefied air as a medium for storing energy. Off-peak or excess electrical energy is used to compress ambient air and liquefy it in the charging cycle. The liquefied air is stored at low temperatures in insulated tanks. When power is required, liquid air is drawn from the tanks and evaporated again in the discharging cycle to generate electricity. The system efficiency is increased by using the stored cold and the compression heat. LAES is especially suitable for special applications that require large amounts of energy over a discharge time of several hours, and enables fluctuating, renewable sources to bear base-loads. The MAN turbomachinery train will form the core of the CRYOBattery facility that, upon completion, will form one of Europe’s largest battery storage systems. This will ultimately supply clean, reliable, and cost-efficient long-duration energy storage – primarily from renewable sources.

Construction of the CRYOBattery began in late 2020 with commercial operation set to commence during 2022. Highview Power will operate the facility in partnership with Carlton Power, a UK independent power station developer.