Date of Graduation

1978

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Cost engineering models have been developed for the preliminary design analysis and evaluation of an underground compressed air storage system for use in conjunction with conventional base-load (coal-steam) electric power generation stations. Models for industrial fuel gas storage systems for peaking application and a total system model for integrated power systems have also been developed for the purpose of preliminary design analysis and evaluation. These models determine the minimum cost of electric power, required capacities of base-load(coal-fired) plant and peaking plants from given values of the total demand, peak demand and fuel costs, as well as characteristics of underground storage reservoirs. The physical and operating constraints on such systems are imposed and an efficient nonlinear optimization code is employed to generate optimal design specifications. The air storage peaking system could provide electrical energy for meeting peak-load demands, could reduce overall costs of energy conversion from fossil fuels to electric energy, and could avoid the environmental problems associated with pumped-hydro storage systems by utilizing underground depleted natural gas reservoirs and aquifers which exist near the major load centers in this country. Generally, it can be concluded that underground depleted natural gas reservoirs and aquifers for air storage application can lower electricity cost. Such systems conserve gas turbine fuel because cheaper base plant fuel is utilized to compress the air rather than necessitating the use of gas turbine energy for the compression operations. In spite of the fact that the storage systems are not an energy conservation system in an absolute sense, they can provide, under certain circumstances, electric power at reduced costs.

Download

Share

COinS