PTQ Gas 2022 Issue

Highview Power is supporting the global adoption of advanced cryogenic plants with its proprietary liquid air energy storage technology

on the system as inputs and pro- duces predictions about future behaviours. It then turns this data into accurate, accessible, and eas- ily understandable information formats for immediate insights. As more data becomes available, the digital twin can be constantly updated to offer improved accu - racy and additional capabilities. The most immediate benefit of a such framework is the ability to organ- ise all process information and have a single, comprehensive process overview that allows for effective decision-making. Digital twins empower operators to simulate different operating con - ditions and scenarios, evaluating the system’s limitations without the need to run these in the physical world. This, in turn, helps improve cost-effectiveness and safety. Consequently, a digital twin appli- cation that encompasses all stages of a liquid air energy storage plant is a key tool that can be used to enhance process modelling and under- standing while also enabling agile operations and driving continuous improvements. Furthermore, these virtual representations can go even further, interacting with their phys- ical counterparts as cyber-physical systems (CPSs) to create even more proactive and flexible setups. To fully reap the benefits of the

plant operators can ensure the proper sequencing of all processes and promptly address any alarm to maximise uptime, ultimately delivering high efficiency and pro - ductivity. As a result, it is possible for facilities to realise dispatchable and predictable power distribution to the grid while also maintaining a low – or even net-zero – carbon footprint. However, having precise control over operations to ensure optimum operations requires an in-depth understanding of the process and the ways in which all components work together and influence each other. Only in this way is it possible to effectively regulate all activities. As liquid air energy storage facili- ties are relatively new, this insight may not be readily available to plant managers. Leveraging digital twin technology A flexible automation setup that can support liquid air energy storage plants while helping to develop process knowledge is a key resource. Moreover, the use of advanced data analytics can enable the creation of an accurate and pre- cise process model known as a dig- ital twin. This offers a real-time virtual representation of a physical asset. It uses data generated by sensors

can be used as part of a closed-loop system to support air liquification activities during charging.

Automating energy storage process control

A liquid air energy storage pro- cess offers per se unique finan - cial and environmental benefits. Nonetheless, with temperatures ranging between -200 and +600 °C and pressures reaching up to 200 bar, small variations in these can impact performance significantly. This means that the optimum control of processing parameters throughout the different phases is key. This is essential to maintain- ing energy efficiency and low costs while maximising the end results. By supporting real-time feedback and feedforward systems, as well as remote monitoring, industrial automation technologies provide an ideal solution to consistently deliver peak performance and efficiency. More precisely, fully integrated automated process control provides a highly available, responsive, and secure framework for monitoring and visualisation, trending, and analysis, as well as the management and synchronisation of all pieces of electro-mechanical equipment on-site. By using this type of automated setup, liquid air energy storage

14 Gas 2022