Electricity in Malaysia is still generated using fossil fuels with the rest using hydroelectric dams. With ad changes becoming more serious, more sustainable energy sources need to be developed urgently. In China, the electric power station using compressed air energy storage (CAES) with the largest output started operating on September 30.
This compressed air energy storage power station is located in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province. It is the world's first 100-MW CASE power plant and it can generate up to 132 million kWh of energy per year to 40,000-60,000 homes. Reduction of burning 442,000 tons of coal and 109,000 tons of CO2 can be done per year.
CAES operates by compressing air up to a pressure of 140 atmospheres using electricity generated during off-peak hours. When additional energy is needed by the grid, the air in the storage tank will be released and heated. This then drives turbines to generate electricity during peak hours. CAES is a cheaper alternative with better lifetime compared to using battery storage. With battery requirements on the rise, using battery storage like the one used by Tesla in Australia is becoming too expensive.
Since 1978, CAES power systems reheat compressed air by burning it with natural gas. The CAES system in China is fully sustainable. The heat produced during the process of re-compressing the air is used again for the heating process. With this electricity that is truly environmentally friendly can be generated.
All this is done with an energy efficiency of 70.4% which is about 52% higher than other CAES power systems in the world today. China is doubling down on efforts to generate more sustainable electricity for domestic needs. Coal not only has to be imported but also causes severe air pollution.
CAES systems, solar farms, solar panels beaming energy from space to earth and producing a man-made sun are among other projects that China is currently developing.