Marine Energy Resources: Tapping into the Power of Waves and Tides
REU Presentation
1. Identifying Optimal Locations and
Evaluating Storage Potential for
Underwater Compressed Air Energy
Storage in the Gulf of Maine
Gabriel E. Colón Reyes, REU Undergraduate Student
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Wednesday, June 24th, 2015
2. Introduction
• What is Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES)?
Adiabatic Process (simplified)
4
Air In Air Out
3. Introduction cont.
• What is Underwater Compressed Air Energy Storage (UW – CAES)?
Underwater-CAES System
3
4. Why Study UW – CAES?
• Intermittency of renewable energy sources
• Storing renewable energy efficiently
• Geographic limitations of CAES
• One of the most efficient storage methods:
More depth, more storage potential per cubic
meter
• Potential to complement offshore wind
5. Why Study Locating UW – CAES?
• Not just a matter of saying “there”
• Stakeholders impacted by location (e.g.
fishermen, commercial sea-traffic lanes,
marine life, etc.)