Performance evaluation and optimization of a novel compressed CO₂ energy storage system based on gas–liquid phase change and cold-electricity cogeneration

Abstract

Compressed CO₂ energy storage (CCES) system has received widespread attention due to its superior performance. This paper proposes a novel CCES concept based on gas–liquid phase change and cold-electricity cogeneration. Thermodynamic and exergoeconomic analyses are performed under simulation conditions, followed by an investigation of the impacts of various decision parameters on the proposed system. Next, a multi-objective optimization is conducted with the total energy efficiency and total product unit cost as the objective functions. Finally, brief comparisons are made between the proposed system and existing systems. The results indicate that the total energy efficiency of the proposed system reaches 79.21% under the given simulation conditions, outperforming the electrical efficiency of 61.27%. Additionally, the total product unit cost of the system is 25.61 $/GJ.Akeycomponent,T1,playsanimportantroleduetoitslargeexergydestructionrate(1.0591MW)andtotalinvestmentcostrate(154.85$/h). Despite this, the exergoeconomic factors of T1 is only 41.08%, indicating that investing in T1 to improve the efficiency is practicable. The analysis shows that a lower CO₂ condensation temperature benefits the proposed system performance. While improving the isentropic efficiencies of the compressors and turbines enhances total energy efficiency, excessive isentropic efficiencies can lead to a significant increase in total product unit cost. Through multi-objective optimization, an optimal favorable operating condition is identified, yielding a compromise result with a total energy efficiency of 111.91% and a total product unit cost of 28.35 $/GJ. The proposed CCES system efficiently delivers both power and cooling energy, demonstrating clear superiorities over previous systems.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

compressed CO₂ energy storage system (CCES) / gas–liquid phase change / cold-electricity cogeneration / thermodynamic and exergoeconomic analyses / multi-objective optimization

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by University Joint Program of Shaanxi Province Key Research Project—Major Project, China (2022GXLH-01-17) and Major Project of Shaanxi Province Key Research Project, China (2024PT-ZCK-47).

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Notations

Abbreviations
AA-CAES	Advanced adiabatic compressed air energy storage
CAES	Compressed air energy storage
CCES	Compressed CO2 energy storage
CCHP	Combined cooling, heating and power
CEPCI	Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index
CRF	Capital recovery factor
CST	Cold-water storage tank
D-CAES	Diabatic compressed air energy storage
EE	Electrical efficiency
FGS	Flexible gas storage
HST	Hot-water storage tank
I-CAES	Isothermal compressed air energy storage
LAES	Liquid air energy storage
LMTD	Logarithmic mean temperature difference
LST	Liquid storage tank
PC-CCES	Compressed CO2 energy storage based on phase change
SC-CCES	Super-critical compressed CO2 energy storage
TC-CCES	Trans-critical compressed CO2 energy storage
TEE	Total energy efficiency
Variables
A	Heat transfer area/m2
c	Cost per unit exergy/($·GJ−1)
$\dot{C}$	Cost rate/($·h−1)
cP,tot	Total unit cost/($·GJ−1)
$\dot{E}$	Exergy flow rate/MW
e	Specific exergy/(kJ·kg−1)
f	Exergoeconomic factor/%
h	Specific enthalpy/(kJ·kg−1)
i	Interest rate
$\dot{m}$	Mass flow rate/(kg·s−1)
N	Operating hours in one year/h
P	Pressure/MPa
$\dot{Q}$	Heat transfer rate/kW
s	Specific entropy/(kJ·kg−1 K−1)
t	Duration/h
T	Temperature/°C
U	Heat transfer coefficient/(W·m−2 K−1)
V	Volume/m3
$\dot{W}$	Power/MW
Y	Lifespan of the system/year
Z	Capital cost/$
$\dot{Z}$	Capital cost rate/($·h−1)
ε	Exergy efficiency/%
φ	Maintenance factor
η	Efficiency/%
Subscripts
0	Ambient state
1,2, et al.	State points
C	Compressor
Cond	Condenser
D	Destruction
Evap	Evaporator
F	Fuel
H	Heat
IC	Intercooler
in	Inlet
ori	Original year
out	Outlet
P	Product
ph	Physical
PRH	Preheat
ref	Reference year
s	Isentropic process
T	Turbine

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