VPSTM Cycle Technology Overview
The patented VPSTM Cycle liquid air energy storage (LAES) and combined cycle power generation technology consists of two distinct “modes”:
1) Inflow-to-Storage (“charging”) Mode
2) Outflow-from-Storage (“discharging”) Mode
The Inflow and Outflow Modes are “connected” by cryogenic fluid Storage Tanks which store cryogenic liquid air (L-Air) produced by the Inflow Mode. In every other respect, the Inflow and the Outflow Modes operate independent of one another and at different times of the day. A rendering of a typical VPS Cycle plant design is shown below.
Figure 1: VPSTM Cycle Plant Rendering
During the Inflow Mode, low-cost, off-peak electricity is converted to L-Air in a cryogenic process, much like air separation plants which produce industrial liquid gases, except that with VPS the air is not separated into its elemental components. Ambient air is compressed and then deeply refrigerated by a cryogenic turbo expander to liquefy the air, which is then stored in cryogenic tanks.
