New York State Gas & Electric to Study Compressed Air Energy Storage

From: http://www.mpnnow.com/business/x1817614900/NYSEG-to-study-compressed-air...

NYSEG to study compressed air energy storage
By Staff reports
Messenger Post

Posted Dec 06, 2010 @ 11:56 AM

MPNnow.com — New York State Gas & Electric is working with the federal Department of Energy on an energy-efficient energy storage system.
On Nov. 30, NYSEG executed a $29.6 million cooperative funding agreement with the Department of Energy as part of the agency’s Smart Grid Demonstration Program, launching a study of an environmentally-friendly compressed air energy storage site on the west side of Seneca Lake, north of Watkins Glen.

“This is an exciting opportunity for some out-of-the-box thinking that could help us continue to meet the growing demand for electricity,” Mark Lynch, president of NYSEG and Rochester Gas and Electric, said in a statement.
Compressed air energy storage works by pumping air into an underground cavern when low-cost, off-peak energy is available to power the compressors. The air would then be released to spin a turbine and generate electricity as needed, especially during times of high customer demand.

There is a depleted underground salt cavern at the proposed site of the facility. NYSEG’s proposed facility could operate for up to 16 hours using the stored compressed air.

The feasibility study, expected to be completed next year, will evaluate the technical and economic viability of the technology. If the study confirms that the process is feasible, NYSEG would seek approval from state and federal agencies to proceed with construction of the plan, with a target in-service date of late 2014.