IN TODAY'S ELECTRICITY MARKET,  where a rapidly expanding portion of power is expected from renewable sources such as wind and solar, operating flexibility – rapid start-up, high turn-down ratios, short transition times between modes, and high ramping rates – has become a critical factor for successful integration of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) into the renewable energy mix. To address these needs, Dresser-Rand has incorporated significant new elements and design enhancements into its CAES products and services. The result provides excellent load management capability and allows existing power generation assets to be utilized more efficiently.

Dubbed SMARTCAES™ equipment and services, this enhanced offering is more than a name; it’s a reflection of Dresser-Rand’s unique qualification to deliver the total integrated rotating equipment system – a “one-stop” CAES solution. This solution includes not only the rotating equipment, but all ancillary services as well – the heat exchange equipment, pollution abatement system, and the plant controls – complete with performance guarantees (both compression and power generation modes).

Constant research and developments in technology have driven the evolution of CAES, from a simple alternative to conventional combustion turbine peaking generators into a flexible, powerful, efficient, and emission-compliant system with several possibilities for renewable energy applications.  download complete story PDF→