TXU To Add 3000 MW Of Wind Energy With Compressed Air Storage
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 08.25.07
"TXU Energy of Texas has proposed a plan to build 3,000 MW of new wind energy in Texas...Because wind in Texas blows mostly at night and energy-intensive air conditioner use rises with the triple-digit temperature during the day, TXU, in conjunction with Shell, had to find a way to store energy for use when it is most needed..."
"Nighttime electricity from TXU's wind turbines will be used to run air compressors that fill huge chambers dug under the Texas scrub brush,... During the heat of the day this air will be released, spinning turbines that resemble those used in natural gas generators."
For background on the compressed air energy storage technology, see this early TreeHugger post titled "Compressed Air Underground Battery for Wind Farms"
See also: article in Star Telegram
Via:: Power Engineering. Image credit and second reference credit:: WattHead
Earthquake and Fire Proof Floating Houses Coming to Los Angeles
|
Quote of the Day: Jonathan Schell on the Fate of the Earth
|
Don't know if this is possible, but since they are filling the tanks with cool, dense, night-time air, would it be possible to passively solar heat the tanks during the day, thus expanding the gas and increasing the pressure?
To bad TXU is a terrible company that rips off it's customers when i was in Austin they wanted a $120 deposit and me to sign a contract. The second day i was in Austin i saw there was a mass lawsuit on the local news because of price their fixing ways.
Hi gothsquirrel
Thanks for your comments