California is exploring a unique type of battery to help power the clean energy revolution: compressed air batteries. This underground $1 billion battery is a giant, clean energy generator that could change the game for sustainable renewables. Why a new type of battery? Compressed air batteries can help store more solar power at night, making this sun-powered energy source more viable as a 24/7 source of clean power for homes and businesses.
Why do we need another new form of battery?
Here’s why compressed air batteries are a hot new area of interest. They don’t require lithium, which is expensive and hard to procure and potentially polluting. Also, they store energy like solar and wind when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. In short, this expensive new technology could make renewable energy cheaper, more reliable at all hours of the day as an energy source and could power entire communities.
— source latimes.com | Laura Cowan | Apr 18, 2023