South Korean researchers at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials have unveiled a liquid‑air energy storage system that can bottle electricity for long‑duration use.
The technology addresses a core hurdle for renewable power: intermittency. By storing excess generation as liquid air, utilities can release energy when the wind dies down or the sun sets, helping grids accommodate higher shares of green electricity and reducing reliance on fossil‑fuel peaker plants.
The system works by using surplus electricity to chill air until it liquefies, then storing the liquid in insulated tanks. When power is needed, the liquid is heated, expands back into gas, and drives a turbine to generate electricity. The prototype can produce about 10 tons of liquid air per day [3]. Tests showed round‑trip efficiency comparable to other long‑duration storage options, making it a viable complement to batteries and pumped hydro.
Development occurred at KIMM’s Daejeon campus in South Korea, where engineers refined the liquefaction cycle and tank design [1]. The breakthrough has attracted policy support from the United Kingdom and China, both of which have announced programs to fund large‑scale, long‑duration storage projects [2]. This dual backing reflects a growing consensus that new storage technologies are essential for meeting climate targets.
The research team plans to scale the prototype to a 50‑megawatt pilot plant within two years, aiming to demonstrate commercial‑grade reliability and cost competitiveness. If successful, the technology could be deployed alongside wind farms in the North Sea or solar clusters in China’s interior, providing a flexible, low‑carbon buffer that smooths supply fluctuations.
What this means: Liquid‑air storage offers a mechanically simple, potentially low‑cost option for long‑duration energy buffering. Its emergence, coupled with government interest in the UK and China, signals that the industry is moving beyond short‑term battery solutions toward diversified storage portfolios that can sustain renewable growth worldwide.
“The system can “bottle” electricity for long‑duration storage.”
Liquid‑air storage could become a key component of future energy grids, offering a scalable way to store large amounts of power for hours or days, thereby easing the transition to renewable‑dominant electricity systems.
