The world’s first commercial liquid air battery is to operate in Manchester to optimise the UK’s use of renewable energy.
Trafford, Manchester will be home to the world’s largest liquid air battery following £10m worth of government investment in an attempt to maximise the nation’s wind and solar resources.
The electricity storage facility would be the first commercial project of its kind and would be capable of powering up to 200,000 homes for five hours every day.
The 50MW project will use cryogenic energy storage technology and will use electricity to cool and compress air, which then turns into liquid and can be stored in containers.
This liquid will be fed through a turbine and turned back into electricity, then fed back into the grid when required.
Kwasi Kwarteng, the Energy and Clean Growth Minister said: “Projects like these will help us realise the full value of our world-class renewables, ensuring homes and businesses can still be powered by green energy, even when the sun is not shining and the wind not blowing.”
The UK aims to become net zero carbon by 2050 and this project is one of many required to reach that goal.
Highview Power are one of the firms behind the scheme and its CEO, Javier Cavada. Said: “This new cryogenic energy storage plant will deliver much needed long-duration energy storage and provide valuable services to the National Grid. We are delighted to have been chosen to assist the UK in achieving its goal of a 100% clean, carbon-free energy future.”
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