Patent ID: 8250863
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: F02C,F03G,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for improving efficiency of a compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system, the method comprising: (i) receiving energy from a power source comprising an electric generating plant or a source of renewable energy, receiving gas from an ambient atmosphere, storing the received energy in the form of compressed gas by compressing the gas within a cylinder assembly, and transferring compressed gas to a compressed-gas reservoir to store the compressed gas; and (ii) transferring compressed gas from the compressed-gas reservoir to the cylinder assembly, expanding the compressed gas within the cylinder assembly to recover energy from the compressed gas, venting expanded gas to an ambient atmosphere, and converting the recovered energy into electricity; and outside of the cylinder assembly, thermally conditioning the gas, via heat exchange with a heat-exchange fluid, during at least one of transferring compressed gas from the compressed-gas reservoir or transferring compressed gas to the compressed-gas reservoir.