The University of Birmingham in the UK has won a £6m grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to create a new Centre for Cryogenic Energy Storage. It is hoped that 'liquid air' technology could revolutionise the storage of energy, reducing the costs of integrating intermittent generation into the electricity system.
This funding is part of an investment of £85 million to support university research announced on 17 July 2013 by David Willetts, UK minister for Universities and Science.
The new Centre, which will be housed on the University of Birmingham's campus, will be the UK's first dedicated research facility for energy storage using cryogenic liquids, comprising new laboratories, state of the art equipment, and a major demonstration plant.
Cryogenic energy storage systems use off-peak electricity to liquefy air. The cryogenic liquid that is formed is stored in a vessel then vapourised into a gas during an expansion process, which drives a turbine. This system uses off-peak electricity to solve the 'wrong-time wrong-place' energy generation and supply problem. A grid-connected pilot plant has been operating in Slough in southern England since 2010.
Professor Richard Williams, pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Birmingham and head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and lead investigator on the project, said: 'The University of Birmingham has grown an internationally strong research community around energy related topics with in excess of £20 million research income across related areas over the last five years, so is well placed to host a centre focusing on the research and development of cryogenic energy storage.
He continued: 'Energy storage is the missing link in UK energy strategy and is critical to future UK domestic electrical energy supply and industrial needs. This award is for the groundbreaking technology of using cold liquefied air as a safe, cheap, large-scale energy warehouse. It will also provide the UK's first research demonstrator plant to enable development of applications for use in the city and region.'
Toby Peters, co-founder of Highview Power Storage, developer of liquid air energy storage technology and industrial partner on the project, said: 'Liquid air is a perfect example of how ... innovation can benefit society and the economy, with a partnership between the private sector and university. The use of liquid air could play a pivotal role in the low carbon future and also create a new industry for the UK worth at least £1 billion a year and more than 20 000 jobs.
Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: 'For Britain to get ahead in the global race we have to back emerging technologies and ensure our universities have the latest equipment. This capital investment will help scientists make new discoveries and take their research through to commercial success. It will drive growth and support the government's industrial strategy.'
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