A new way of storing electric power
is using ABB motors as a generator.

Developed by Highview Power
Storage, the Highview CryoEnergy
System uses a cryogenic process to
store energy. The system works by
taking in cheap rate electricity and
using it to operate an air liquefaction
plant, storing liquefied air in an
insulated tank at -196°C.

When the stored energy is needed,
liquefied air or liquid nitrogen is
released from the tank, pumped to a
high pressure and allowed to warm
and expand to gaseous state. High
pressure air is used to drive an
expansion turbine, which turns an
ABB motor acting as a generator.

The ABB motor, in a pilot plant
hosted by Scottish and Southern
Energy, is a 500kW induction motor.

This is large enough to supply
electricity to several hundred homes.

Gareth Brett, CEO, Highview
Power Storage, says: “ABB provided
transient torque plots under fault
conditions, as well as the torque
speed relationship at a part of the
curve which would not normally be
looked at for a motor application.”