Comparison of the performance of compressed-air and hydrogen energy storage systems: Karpathos island case study

Two diverse energy storage technologies, namely the compressed-air and hydrogen energy storage systems, are examined. In particular, a steady state analysis (IPSEpro simulation software) of four configurations of micro-CAES systems is conducted from the energetic and exergetic point of view. The hydrogen energy storage system is dynamically simulated using the HOMER energy software. Load and wind profiles for the island of Karpathos are used as input data to the program. The two-stage micro-CAES system without air preheating is selected to be investigated dynamically as it is proven to have high efficiency and zero emissions. The last part of the paper compares the two systems in terms of energy storage efficiency, includes an approximation of the costs and highlights the technological advantages and disadvantages of these technologies. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.