磷酸铁锂储能被“点刹”后，压缩空气储能来了

Core Viewpoint - Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is experiencing a new wave of investment and development, driven by increasing demand for long-duration energy storage solutions and supportive government policies [6][14][20]. Investment Projects - Yunnan Energy Investment announced an investment of 1.872 billion yuan to build a 350MW CAES demonstration project in Kunming, which is expected to have a post-tax internal rate of return of 5.5% and a payback period of 17.91 years [6][10][20]. - The project will utilize retired salt caverns for energy storage and is expected to enhance grid stability and accommodate large-scale renewable energy integration in Yunnan [10][12]. National Trends - There is a nationwide trend of increasing CAES projects, with several large-scale projects entering implementation phases in October alone, indicating a growing interest in this technology [8][12]. - By the end of 2024, the newly signed CAES projects in China are expected to reach a scale of 6.8GW, representing a year-on-year growth of 21% [12]. Market Demand - The demand for long-duration energy storage is rising, as evidenced by the average storage duration of new energy storage projects increasing from 2.3 hours to 2.6 hours [14][16]. - The National Energy Administration's "Blue Book" outlines a strategic focus on long-duration storage technologies, including CAES, to meet future energy system balancing needs [14][16]. Economic Viability - The economic viability of CAES has improved significantly, with Yunnan Energy Investment's project demonstrating commercial investment potential [19][20]. - Comparatively, the internal rate of return for CAES projects is becoming competitive with other storage technologies, such as pumped hydro storage [19][20]. Geographical Considerations - The geographical limitations for CAES development, primarily the need for suitable storage sites, are being addressed through technological advancements [21]. - Recent innovations include the use of abandoned oil and gas fields for CAES, which could further enhance the commercial viability of this technology [21].