Metal Work is one of Signal''s main clients: the company is a leader in the pneumatic sector and for decades has been working to reduce the problems caused by residual compressed air in the atmosphere.
The idea to produce electric energy through this otherwise wasted flow grew up not only from the new developments in so-called energy harvesting techniques, but even by the chance to work in areas where electricity is absent, or an explosive atmosphere surrounds the location.
Furthermore, compressed air enables the machine to work even in the case of a black-out, thus ensuring a constant operating capacity. "The base idea – tells us Metal Work project manager – as any innovative one, was simple, but its realization was full of question marks: structure, nozzle, turbine, generator, and electric equipment were all items to be produced and the referring technologies were not well known!".
The winning tool for Metal Work was the establishment of a joint multidisciplinary team in partnership with Signal and Brescia University to develop the components.
Signal focused on developing a specific electronic device to convert alternate voltage coming out of the micro-generator, in order to deliver a constant and reliable voltage, even in event of a change of flow rate and pressure of the compressed air. This item was called Pneumopower.
The power coming out from the generator moved by the air needed to be managed in order to maximize efficiency by using MPPT techniques. To ensure safety and reliability, it also blocked excessive rotational speed from the turbine.
Signal operated without any previous bibliographic references and without the chance to refer to similar products on the market: furthermore, the greatest task was to develop a product that could be reliable and affordable at the same time. Because of this, electro valves were considered and avoided, as, while they could solve many issues, they were prohibitively costly.
The result of this endeavour was extremely positive: the product is a small aluminium rectangle (100x50x54 mm). Air enters through a standard fast connector, from which the client can move it through a M8 connector, up to to 12 W stabilized at 24Vdc. Pneumpower visually signals its working state with a LED and electrically with a dedicated signal through the same M8.
Further detail can be seen on client website https://ecommerce.metalwork /store/mw/it/Catalogo/Raccordi-e-Accessori/Valvole-di-controllo-portata-e-altri-accessori-pneumatici/PNEUMO-POWER/PNEUMO-POWER/c/04061101
Signal Electronic Suzhou - LuXu YueJiang N.558, LiLi town, WuJiang district, SuZhou city, JiangSu province, China Zip: 215211 - Tel: +86 51281559033 - ICP2021027776-1
The effects of climate change have many scientists and technologists looking toward the future with renewable energy sources in mind. Solar and wind power systems are an eco-friendly energy option, but they are dependent upon certain weather conditions to operate at full capacity.
Energy storage systems are one solution to this problem and can easily increase a power plant’s output and efficiency. One such storage system uses compressed air to save electricity for when it is needed. The idea of energy storage using compressed air has been around for decades but is recently being explored more as a solution to augment renewable energy systems.
Compressed air energy storage, or CAES, is a means of storing energy for later use in the form of compressed air. CAES can work in conjunction with the existing power grid and other sources of power to store excess energy for when it is needed most, such as during peak energy hours.
Wind power is one example of how this works perfectly with other types of energy production. The wind turbines spin around to produce energy any time there is wind available, but the electricity it generates may not always be needed at the moment it is being produced, and thus, is wasted.
Alternatively, peak energy demand may occur at a time when there is not enough wind to spin the turbines and create sufficient energy. Stored energy of compressed air can be used to save the excess energy produced by the wind turbines, so it is available during peak energy times or when there isn’t enough wind to power the turbines.
With compressed air energy, the electricity produced by other power sources, such as wind turbines, is converted into highly pressurized compressed air and stored for later use. When the energy is needed, this compressed air is then released into turbine generators so it can be used as electricity again. With compressed air energy storage, the energy can be stored — and later used — at any time of the day or year, regardless of weather or other conditions.
Air compression creates excess heat, and the decompression process removes heat from the air. There are three main ways of dealing with the compression and decompression process:
Compressed air can often be stored in existing and natural geological formations like reservoirs in rock or salt mines. Using existing infrastructure such as these can also keep costs lower. There are two main types of storage that can be utilized in a CAES system:
Compressed air energy storage can be an affordable method of energy storage, easily keeping pace with other competing methods, like pumped hydropower, electrochemical, thermal energy, gravitational and lithium battery storage. Some of these other energy storage systems work well for small-scale energy usages, such as electronic devices or vehicles, but for large-scale energy grid usage, CAES is one of the best.
The capital cost of using compressed air energy storage is around $1,500 per kilowatt and is considered relatively affordable when compared to other energy storage systems. Often, the installation and implementation costs are also low because existing and natural reservoirs can be used, and the technology and equipment are similar to what utility companies and workers are accustomed to using already. This keeps added construction, equipment and training costs down.
A CAES system also has the added value of increasing the output of the existing energy-producing facility. Storing the energy from variable sources like solar and wind power means the overall output of such facilities is drastically increased, putting them on par with larger, but less environmentally friendly options, like coal power plants. With added benefits like these, it’s difficult to calculate the total cost savings, but it’s easy to see that CAES systems are a viable and competitive option for today’s energy needs.
Sustainability and the environment are leading concerns in the energy production and storage industries, and changes to the systems and new developments will favor higher energy efficiency and sustainability. The overall efficiency level of CAES systems can vary and will depend largely on the design of each individual facility.
Compressed air energy storage efficiency is lower than other methods and systems, like pumped hydropower plants and chemical battery solutions. This is because of the nature of the energy loss from compressing and decompressing air. As air is compressed, it heats up, creating wasted heat and energy that is released into the atmosphere. As the air is later decompressed, it cools down, which results in a lower energy output overall. Some systems use natural gas to heat the air before it is decompressed, but this also leads to lower overall energy efficiency.
However, even with these efficiency challenges, compressed air energy is often a better choice overall than many other energy systems because it requires no rare or toxic materials to operate and is not wasting non-renewable resources. CAES systems also do not require complicated technology to operate and are easy to maintain. The type of storage system for compressed air energy can have a huge effect on its overall efficiency and new technological advances are constantly being made to improve efficiency issues.
One way that CAES systems can be made more energy-efficient is through the use of water-filled reservoirs. When the compressed air is pushed into storage, water is pushed upward toward the surface level. The water goes back down when the compressed air is later used as energy. This system of pipes and water reservoirs maintains constant pressure for the stored air and improves overall energy efficiency.
How is compressed air helping the environment? Compressed air energy storage systems provide many benefits, like adding to the overall output of an energy grid. Let’s take a look at some other key advantages of using CAES systems:
Of course, with any list of pros and cons, the disadvantages need to be explored as well. With compressed air energy storage, it seems the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. However, we are still not seeing the growth and implementation of new CAES for the following reasons:
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