BaroMar, an energy storage company, is getting ready to conduct tests on a unique form of grid-level energy storage that utilizes water as its primary component. If it proves effective, this method could offer a more cost-effective solution for maintaining stability in renewable energy sources over extended durations.

The world is making progress towards zero-carbon energy options, but the path ahead is far from simple. In order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the majority of the world’s electricity, approximately 80 percent, will need to be generated from sources such as solar and wind power.

Some countries, such as Portugal, Denmark, and Namibia, have already made significant progress towards achieving zero-carbon grids, which may seem impossible to some. Yet, in order to be universally useful, there is a need for advancements in energy storage and release methods to meet the growing demand caused by these emerging technologies. These demands will differ based on location. Some locations may require a consistent supply, even on overcast days, while others may have fluctuating demand throughout the day.

During the winter or other seasonal low points, it is important to store energy for times when wind power cannot compensate for the decrease in solar power.

This is where BaroMar’s innovative compressed air energy storage (CAES) alternative could prove to be extremely useful.

The technology for CAES has been available for approximately four decades and is widely recognized as a cost-effective method for energy storage, contributing to grid stability. In the conventional approach, the procedure entails the compression and storage of surrounding air in subterranean reservoirs, such as caves or abandoned salt mines. When energy is required, it can be harnessed by utilizing turbines that power a generator to reclaim it.

BaroMar is confident that their innovative approach can surpass the effectiveness of the traditional method and efficiently store energy for extended periods using simple equipment.

Water is the solution. The company intends to establish plants in coastal areas that have access to deep water. The pressure generated from this water will be utilized to replace the high-pressure tanks typically used in conventional CAES systems. This method is significantly more cost-effective.

Instead of envisioning sleek and advanced tanks of pressurized air, picture massive concrete and steel tanks anchored by cages filled with rocks. These would be placed underwater at depths ranging from 200 to 700 meters (650 to 2,300 feet).

Every tank is equipped with water-permeable valves that initially fill them with seawater. Then, during the storage process, the compressor and generator located on land transfer air into the tanks through a hose at varying pressures, typically ranging from 20 to 70 bar (290 to 1,015 psi), depending on the depth. As the air enters the tanks, it expels water.

Then, when energy needs to be extracted, the air is directed back up the hose to power a thermal recovery system and a turbo expander, which in turn drives a generator.

At the sea floor, the tanks are refilled with water and patiently await future utilization.

This system, particularly the tanks, is reported to be much more cost-effective to manufacture due to the stabilizing effect of the pressure from the seawater.

“The tanks are engineered to withstand the various forces exerted by the marine environment, including compressed air and hydrostatic water pressure, during installation and operation,” a representative from Jacobs, in collaboration with BaroMar, clarified to CleanTechnica.

Jacobs is working on a pilot project for the new system to be installed in Cyprus. The goal is to achieve a round-trip efficiency of approximately 70 percent, which refers to the combined loss of energy when adding and withdrawing from an energy store. If accomplished, this would be comparable in efficiency to the world’s largest conventional CAES station in China.

Unfortunately, this water-based pilot project will fall short of matching the energy storage capabilities of the Chinese plants. It will have an initial storage capacity of approximately 4 MWh, which is significantly smaller than the 100-MW, 400 MW/h capacity in Zhangjiakou, China.

Even though it has a lot of potential, there will be problems. These are for things that are meant to stay underwater for decades. To make sure the tanks can be built and work at great depths, they need to go through a lot of geophysical research, feasibility studies, and geotechnological and bathymetric surveys.

However, if BaroMar is right, this new system would be very appealing to many cities around the world. It could also be a much cheaper and easier-to-expand solution. Let us see how things go.

Last year, the world witnessed the inauguration of the tallest wooden wind turbine near the town of Skara, in close proximity to the city of Gothenburg in Sweden. This remarkable feat took place in a country that is widely recognized for its expertise in producing flat-pack wood furniture.

According to Modvion, the company behind this impressive achievement, the turbine has a remarkable 105-meter (345-foot) wooden tower that boasts a towering height of 150 meters (492 feet) with its blades.

According to BBC News, the tower’s 2-megawatt generator became operational and started supplying electricity to the local grid in late 2020, benefiting around 400 households with power.

Wind power is an incredibly cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy source. Nevertheless, there is a cost associated with it. Many turbines are made from steel, which has a significant carbon footprint. With the rise of more powerful turbines, the demand for larger towers has also increased, leading to a higher demand for this metal.

Modvion has developed the “Wind of Change,” which is the first commercial wooden wind turbine tower, as a solution to this problem.

The structure can be constructed on the designated location in seven distinct sections, each consisting of a combined total of 28 individual modules. The tower’s modularity facilitates its transportation via roads and sea, in contrast to conventional steel towers that can be heavy and cumbersome to relocate.

The turbine tower is constructed using 144 layers of laminated veneer lumber, each measuring 3 millimeters in thickness, which have been bonded and compressed together. The timber originated from approximately 200 spruce trees, all of which belonged to the same species commonly utilized for Christmas trees. It is worth noting that these trees were cultivated in a sustainable manner.

“It is our proprietary formula,” stated David Olivegren, a former architect, boat builder, and co-founder of Modvion, in an interview with the BBC.

“Wood and glue have been recognized as an ideal pairing for centuries.” “Furthermore, due to the lower weight of wood compared to steel, it is possible to construct taller turbines using a reduced amount of material,” he stated.

Isolated in the rural landscape of Sweden, the solitary and comparatively diminutive wooden wind tower will not have a substantial impact on the worldwide climate emergency.

However, Modvion is confident that this proof-of-concept holds significant potential and aspires to pursue even more ambitious plans in the future. The company aims to construct 100 wooden towers annually by 2027, potentially on a significantly larger scale than the current scale.

The maximum attainable height of a wooden tower is 1,500 meters (4,921 feet). “A distance of 150 meters (equivalent to 492 feet) appears to be an ideal starting point,” states Modvion on its official website.

Explore the most recent cutting-edge innovation from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, commonly referred to as DARPA. Introducing a colossal uncrewed submarine inspired by the manta ray, created by the same innovators behind hypersonic air-breathing weapons, submarine-detecting shrimp, and robot jazz musicians. Northrop Grumman’s prototype has just finished its initial in-water trial.

The submarine has been designed to transport substantial loads across extensive distances beneath the water’s surface without the presence of any human occupants for assistance. During deployment, it can enter a state of “hibernation,” where it remains attached to the seabed in order to conserve energy.

In 2022, Northrop Grumman stated that their design for the project would serve DARPA’s objective of generating “strategic surprise.” We believe it is safe to assert that they have successfully accomplished that objective.

In February and March of this year, DARPA conducted a comprehensive test of the prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) off the coast of Southern California.

“The successful and comprehensive testing of the Manta Ray confirms that the vehicle is prepared to progress towards real-world operations. It was quickly assembled in the field using modular subsections,” stated Dr. Kyle Woerner, the DARPA program manager for Manta Ray. The integration of cross-country modular transportation, on-site assembly, and subsequent deployment showcases a unique capability for an extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

The level of specificity we can currently provide is limited to “extra-large.”. New Atlas reports that DARPA and Northrop Grumman have thus far maintained confidentiality regarding the majority of the technical details of the aircraft. However, it is speculated that the online images reveal concealed propulsors, an antenna, water inlets, and potentially maneuvering thrusters.

By examining the images, we can gain an understanding of the size and observe that its sleek curves truly resemble the animal it is named after—and perhaps even a few science fiction creations as well.

Manta Ray #UUV prototype completes full-scale, in-water testing off the coast of SoCal. DARPA program exhibits modular, first-of-kind capability for an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle. Built by @northropgrumman. https://t.co/BIDfh3cZCD pic.twitter.com/t6dqWB3i33

— DARPA (@DARPA) May 1, 2024

Manta rays, which belong to numerous species, can be found in various bodies of water worldwide. Numerous reports of these creatures actively interacting with divers and snorkelers show that they are sociable and intelligent. However, it was the elegant movement of the manta rays that truly motivated the engineers responsible for the development of the new UUV, thus upholding a longstanding practice of drawing inspiration from nature for design purposes.

Following deployment, the vehicle navigates the water with effective buoyancy-powered gliding, according to Woerner.

An additional significant benefit of the Manta Ray UUV, emphasized by both DARPA and Northrop Grumman, is its capability to be transported in separate components and quickly reconstructed at the desired location. The prototype was transported from the build location in Maryland to the opposite side of the country and could also be useful in the field.

According to Woerner, transporting the vehicle directly to its intended area of operation helps to save energy that would otherwise be used during transit.

DARPA is presently collaborating with the US Navy to determine the subsequent actions for this technology. The exact timeline for the deployment of Manta Ray in actual water remains undisclosed.