Expansion in the supply of intermittent renewable energy sources on the elec-tricity grid can potentially benefit from implementation of large-scale compressed air energy storage in porous media systems (PM-CAES) such as aquifers and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs.
near-well regions is caused by the presence of porous medium in the reservoir which limits air flow and therefore the extent to which injection-related pressure propagates over time.
Compressed air energy storage in geological porous formations, also known as porous medium compressed air energy storage (PM-CAES), presents one option for balancing the fluctuations in energy supply systems dominated by renewable energy sources.
This review focuses on compressed air energy storage (CAES) in porous media, particularly aquifers, evaluating its benefits, challenges, and technological advancements.
Compressed air energy storage (CAES) in porous formations is considered as one option for large-scale energy storage to compensate for fluctuations from renewable energy production.
This review focuses on compressed air energy storage (CAES) in porous media, particularly aquifers, evaluating its benefits, challenges, and technological advancements.
Expansion in the supply of intermittent renewable energy sources on the electricity grid can potentially benefit from implementation of large-scale compressed air energy storage in porous media systems (PM-CAES) such as
To accurately simulate compressed air energy storage in porous formations, the intricate and strongly coupled processes occurring within the surface power plant and the subsurface geostorage facilities have to be adequately represented for the wide range of expected operational modes.
That''s porous media compressed air energy storage (CAES) in a nutshell – the unsung hero you didn''t know our green energy transition needed. As of 2025, this technology powers everything from Germany''s 290 MW Huntorf plant to China''s groundbreaking 300 MW facility in
Compressed air energy storage (CAES) in porous formations is one option to compensate the expected fluctuations in energy supply in future energy systems with a 100% share of renewable energy sources.
Expansion in the supply of intermittent renewable energy sources on the electricity grid can potentially benefit from implementation of large-scale compressed air energy storage in porous media systems (PM-CAES) such as aquifers and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs.
The global transition to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar has created a critical need for effective energy storage solutions to manage their intermittency. This review focuses on compressed air energy storage (CAES) in porous media, particularly aquifers, evaluating its benefits, challenges, and technological advancements.
Oldenburg and Pan laid the theoretical groundwork for PM-CAES , focusing on the coupled wellbore–reservoir system and highlighting the unique challenges posed by using porous media for energy storage.
Storage sites in porous media can be used for GWh PM-CAES applications in future energy supply systems with a renewable energy share of up to 100 %. The intricate nature of PM-CAES requires specifically designed power plants that account for both the energy system characteristics as well as the geostorage’s geological setting.
Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is one such fluid-based method. CAES operates by using electric compressors to inject high-pressure air into storage during periods of low electricity demand and releasing it through turbines to generate electricity when needed [19, 20].
A suitable geological site for compressed air energy storage is given by a highly permeable porous formation and a tight cap rock to prevent the buoyant rise of the air (see Fig. 1). In northern Germany, anticline structures suitable for CAES can be found in a variety of settings (Baldschuhn et al. 2001).
