Liquid air energy storage (LAES), also referred to as cryogenic energy storage (CES), is a long duration, potentially large-scale energy storage technology that can be located at the point of demand. While the technology has been known for more than 100 years, only recently has it been widely seen as a promising energy storage option for the grid and buildings, alongside smart technology developments. “I get half a dozen people a week trying to persuade me they have a brilliant invention”, said Tim Fox head of energy at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). “It seems this one might actually be such an invention”. Greener and cheaper electricity is used to cool air from the atmosphere to -195 °C using the Claude Cycle to the point where it liquefies. The liquid air, which takes up one thousandth of the volume of the gas, can be kept for a long time in a large vacuum flask […]