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					</table>Liquid air energy storage (LAES) could be a cost-effective long-term energy storage solution, according to a new study by an international research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (<a href="https://web.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MIT</a>) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTNU</a>). The study suggests that LAES can provide a reliable method for storing and releasing electricity as needed.
How liquid air storage works
The LAES process involves three stages: charging, storing, and discharging. During charging, ambient air is cleaned, dried, and liquified using electricity. This liquid air is stored in insulated tanks at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure. When electricity demand increases, the liquid air is pressurized, heated, and vaporized, driving a turbine to generate electricity.
The study claims that this process is clean, using only ambient air and electricity, and can be implemented at multiple locations, including near industrial sites that can exchange waste heat to improve efficiency. The technology uses commercially available components and does not rely on rare or expensive materials.
Economic viability
The researchers investigated LAES&#8217; economic viability in future power grids by calculating its net present value (NPV) to determine whether the project will generate more profits than its costs over its lifetime. This value accounts for LAES&#8217; long-term financial feasibility by considering revenues, capital expenditures, and operational costs, all of which are discounted at a 7% rate.
To achieve this, the researchers developed a model to stimulate LAES performance within projected energy markets, utilizing comprehensive pricing data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Using this model, they analyzed various decarbonization scenarios provided by the NREL across 18 U.S. regions.
The model considered capital expenditures, operating costs, and revenue from the purchase and sale of electricity.
The researchers found that a 100 MW LAES system would only be economically viable if 100% decarbonization is achieved by 2035. Even then, profitability was limited to certain southern states, such as Texas and Florida, where energy market conditions favored LAES technology. The model showed that LAES would be financially sustainable only in scenarios where demand for stored energy was high, particularly in markets with ideal pricing structures.
The researchers also conducted a sensitivity analysis on storage capacity, comparing weekly versus monthly storage durations. Their analysis indicated that weekly storage offered greater economic efficiency, as monthly storage incurred unnecessary costs for excess capacity.
The research emphasizes the crucial role of aggressive decarbonization policies and specific regional market conditions in determining the economic viability of LEAS as a vital component of future sustainable energy grids.
Improving NPV
The research team explored two key factors to enhance LAES&#8217; economic competitiveness: energy efficiency improvements and the implementation of financial incentives.
The report states that while advancements in energy efficiency yielded limited NPV improvements under realistic market conditions, introducing capital expenditure subsidies, ranging from 40% to 60%, enhanced economic viability across all realistic scenarios.
Additionally, integrating LAES with existing power projects and industrial facilities could reduce costs and improve efficiency to make it a more attractive investment for energy providers.
Cost Comparison 
The levelized storage cost for LAES was approximately $60/MWh, regardless of the decarbonization scenario.
The report claims that LAES is approximately one-third the cost of lithium-ion battery storage and half of that of pumped hydro.
This cost advantage can position LAES as a viable option for grid-scale energy storage in the future. Furthermore, LAES does not degrade over time like lithium-ion batteries, ensuring consistent performance throughout its operational life.
The research also found that the location of the LAES system affects its costs, further highlighting the importance of regional analysis.
Last January, MIT researchers <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mit-scientists-develop-free-batteries-for-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">designed</a> a new lithium-ion battery, which includes a cathode based on organic materials instead of metals such as cobalt or nickel.

Potential of Liquid Air Energy Storage as a Low-Cost Solution: Study

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NTNU</a>) have estimated the potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) and bioenergy deployment on recently abandoned cropland across the globe.
The researchers utilized a time series of remotely-sensed land cover maps provided by the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative Land Cover to identify abandoned cropland. They identified approximately 83 million hectares of abandoned cropland between 1992 and 2015 by tracking grid cells transitioning from cropland in 1992 to any non-cropland in 2015. Out of 83 million hectares, 30% is located in Asia, 28% in the Americas, 22% in Africa, 20% in Europe, and 5% in Oceania.
According to the researchers, the Global-Agro Ecological Zones 3.0 crop yield model was utilized to identify abandoned cropland suitable for bioenergy generation. Three types of perennial grasses, such as switchgrass, miscanthus, and reed canary grass, were selected for bioenergy deployment due to their low cost, high yields, and environmental benefits.
The researchers assessed local solar PV deployment potential on abandoned cropland through the data from the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.cmcc.it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CMCC</a>). They incorporated the data to find the optimal distribution of solar energy and bioenergy on the abandoned land through Development Potential Index (DPI) for the renewable energy options.
The report stated that 78 million hectares of the 83 million hectares are suitable for deploying solar PV and bioenergy projects. Out of this, 53 million hectares (68%)are ideal for solar PV deployment, and 24 million hectares (32%) for bioenergy deployments.
The researchers said solar deployment on the abandoned cropland could generate 179 exajoules (EJ) of energy annually, and bioenergy deployment  35 exajoules annually. They identified several locations, such as the west coast of South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, that could provide the highest bioenergy yields. The primary productive locations for solar photovoltaic include the east coast of America, Central America, parts of Africa, mid-Europe, and Southeast Asia.
“The consideration of different biophysical and socio-economic factors provides a more realistic comparison and deployment potential. Considering site-specific DPIs, a mix of bioenergy and PV is found to be the best solution for renewable energy production on the abandoned cropland,” said the researchers.
Previously, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the United States had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/floating-solar-hydropower-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">estimated</a> that the addition of floating solar projects on the top of water bodies, which already have hydropower stations, could generate around 7.6 TW of clean energy annually from solar photovoltaic systems alone.
Earlier this year, the National Institute of Wind Energy (<a href="https://niwe.res.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NIWE</a>) stated that India&#8217;s installable wind potential is <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-cultivable-land-wind-generation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">estimated</a> to be at 695 GW at 120 meters above ground level. Out of the estimated figure, nearly 347 GW of wind projects can be installed on cultivable lands, followed by wastelands where 340 GW capacity could be possible. The cultivable land areas in India have the highest potential for installing wind energy projects. In its report, the institute added that there is also a possibility of installing 8 GW in forest lands.

Researchers Say 53 Million Hectares of Abandoned Land Could be Used for Solar Deployment

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