In the vast expanse of China's Gobi Desert, a revolutionary energy storage solution is taking shape. The Qinghai 60,000-kilowatt/600,000-kilowatt-hour liquid air energy storage project – currently in final commissioning – stands as the world's largest facility of its kind under construction. Developed by China Green Development Investment Group (CGDG), this innovative system uses purified air cooled to -194°C as its energy storage medium.
Technical specialist Qian Yadong explained that the project's breakthrough lies in its atmospheric-pressure low-temperature storage system, developed through collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The team overcame critical challenges in ultra-low-temperature cascade technology, creating a closed-loop system that stores surplus renewable energy during off-peak hours for release during high demand periods.
The facility's scale is staggering: each charge can power 30,000 households for 10 hours, with annual clean electricity production projected at 180 million kilowatt-hours. A supporting 250,000-kilowatt photovoltaic project will enable self-sufficient charging, making the installation truly sustainable.
This technological leap addresses two critical challenges in renewable energy adoption – curtailment of excess production and grid stability. By providing reliable energy storage in extreme environments, the project paves the way for large-scale renewable bases in arid regions worldwide. As global demand for efficient energy storage solutions grows, China's 'air battery' innovation offers new possibilities for balancing clean energy production with practical grid requirements.
