Abstract: A method of operating a hydrostatically compensated compressed air energy storage system comprising to inhibit champagne effect conditions, can include charging the system; changing the system into a storage mode; and before a dissolved gas concentration in a layer of compensation liquid exceeds a champagne effect saturation threshold, operating the system in a dilution cycle mode that can include i) discharging at least a portion of the compressed air from the accumulator thereby drawing additional compensation liquid having a lower dissolved gas concentration than the liquid in the layer of compensation liquid into the accumulator, and ii) re-charging the system by conveying additional compressed air into the layer of compressed air in the accumulator thereby displacing a corresponding amount of compensation liquid from the layer of compensation liquid into a compensation liquid flow path and returning the system to the storage mode.

Abstract: A system, method and process for product authentication and verification using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, blockchain technology (Hyperledger), and cryptography. A unique product identifier is generated for a unique individual product, incorporated into a data structure for that product, and the data structure is recorded to a blockchain initiating an immutable record for the unique product identifier. An NFC tag is encoded with a tap-unique URL that comprises the unique product identifier and a cryptographic output and the tag is affixed to its corresponding unique individual product. Each time the tag is tapped by an NFC proximity coupling device, a web client operating on the proximity coupling device reads and opens the URL whereupon the tag is verified using a cryptographic verification process and generating a verification result.

Abstract: A system, method and process for product authentication and verification using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, blockchain technology (Hyperledger), and cryptography. A unique product identifier is generated for a unique individual product, incorporated into a data structure for that product, and the data structure is recorded to a blockchain initiating an immutable record for the unique product identifier. An NFC tag is encoded with a tap-unique URL that comprises the unique product identifier and a cryptographic output and the tag is affixed to its corresponding unique individual product. Each time the tag is tapped by an NFC proximity coupling device, a web client operating on the proximity coupling device reads and opens the URL whereupon the tag is verified using a cryptographic verification process and generating a verification result.

Abstract: A system, method and process for encoding a near field communication (NFC) tag for use in product authentication and verification and to create an immutable tap transaction record. A unique product identifier is generated for a unique individual product and recorded to a blockchain initiating an immutable record for the unique product identifier. An NFC tag is encoded with a unique URL comprising the unique product identifier affixed to its corresponding unique individual product. Upon tapping by an NFC proximity coupling device, the authenticity of the tag is verified using a cryptographic verification process, and the corresponding blockchain transaction identifier is determined. The verification result and tap interaction data is transmitted to and recorded on the blockchain ledger for the unique product identifier, thereby creating an immutable record of each tap interaction result of the tag affixed to the product.

Abstract: A system, method and process for product authentication and verification using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, blockchain technology (Hyperledger), and cryptography. A unique product identifier is generated for a unique individual product, incorporated into a data structure, and the data structure is recorded to a blockchain initiating an immutable record for the unique product identifier. An NFC tag is encoded with a tap-unique URL comprising the unique product identifier and a cryptographic output and affixed to the product. Each time the tag is tapped by a proximity coupling device, a web client operating on the proximity coupling device opens the URL whereupon the tag is verified using a cryptographic verification process and generating a verification result. The verification result is recorded on the blockchain ledger for the unique product identifier, thereby creating an immutable record of each tap interaction result.

Abstract: A hydrostatically compensated compressed air energy storage system may include an accumulator disposed underground, a gas compressor/expander subsystem in fluid communication with the accumulator interior via an air flow path; a compensation liquid reservoir spaced apart from the accumulator and in fluid communication with the layer of compensation liquid within the accumulator via a compensation liquid flow path; and a first construction shaft extending from the surface of the ground to the accumulator and being sized and configured to i) accommodate the passage of a construction apparatus therethrough when the hydrostatically compensated compressed air energy storage system is being constructed, and ii) to provide at least a portion of one of the air flow path and the compensation liquid flow path when the hydrostatically compensated compressed air energy storage system is in use.

Abstract: A system, method and process for product authentication and verification using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, blockchain technology (Hyperledger), and cryptography. A unique product identifier is generated for a unique individual product, incorporated into a data structure, and the data structure is recorded to a blockchain initiating an immutable record for the unique product identifier. An NFC tag is encoded with a tap-unique URL comprising the unique product identifier and a cryptographic output and affixed to the product. Each time the tag is tapped by a proximity coupling device, a web client operating on the proximity coupling device opens the URL whereupon the tag is verified using a cryptographic verification process and generating a verification result. The verification result is recorded on the blockchain ledger for the unique product identifier, thereby creating an immutable record of each tap interaction result.

Abstract: A method of transitioning a hydrostatically compensated compressed air energy storage system from an operating mode to a dewatered maintenance state may include a) charging an accumulator to a fully charged state where the air water interface is at a charge plane by conveying compressed air at a storage pressure into the layer of compressed air using a gas compressor/expander subsystem thereby displacing a corresponding amount of compensation liquid from the layer of compensation liquid out of the accumulator into the compensation liquid flow path and from the compensation liquid flow path into the compensation liquid reservoir until the accumulator is substantially free of the compensation liquid, b) fluidly sealing the compensation liquid flow path thereby isolating a residual amount of the compensation liquid, and c) depressurizing the accumulator interior to a service pressure that is lower than the storage pressure.

Abstract: A method of temporarily storing thermal energy via a thermal storage subsystem in a compressed air energy storage system comprising an accumulator disposed at least 300 m underground and having an interior configured to contain compressed air at an accumulator pressure that is at least 20 bar and a gas compressor/expander subsystem in communication with the accumulator via an air flow path for conveying compressed air to the accumulator when in a charging mode and from the accumulator when in a discharging mode.

Abstract: A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.

Abstract: A compressed gas energy storage system may include an accumulator for containing a layer of compressed gas atop a layer of liquid. A gas conduit may have an upper end in communication with a gas compressor/expander subsystem and a lower end in communication with accumulator interior for conveying compressed gas into the compressed gas layer of the accumulator when in use. A shaft may have an interior for containing a quantity of a liquid and may be fluidly connectable to a liquid source/sink via a liquid supply conduit. A partition may cover may separate the accumulator interior from the shaft interior. An internal accumulator force may act on the inner surface of the partition and the liquid within the shaft may exert an external counter force on the outer surface of the partition, whereby a net force acting on the partition is less than the accumulator force.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydrostatically compensated compressed air energy storage system comprising to inhibit champagne effect conditions, can include charging the system; changing the system into a storage mode; and before a dissolved gas concentration in a layer of compensation liquid exceeds a champagne effect saturation threshold, operating the system in a dilution cycle mode that can include i) discharging at least a portion of the compressed air from the accumulator thereby drawing additional compensation liquid having a lower dissolved gas concentration than the liquid in the layer of compensation liquid into the accumulator, and ii) re-charging the system by conveying additional compressed air into the layer of compressed air in the accumulator thereby displacing a corresponding amount of compensation liquid from the layer of compensation liquid into a compensation liquid flow path and returning the system to the storage mode.

Abstract: A hydrostatically compensated, compressed gas energy storage system can include an accumulator containing a layer of compressed gas at between about 20 bar and about 90 bar above a layer of compensation liquid that has a density of at least 1500 kg/m3. A compressor and expander subsystem may be configured to selectably convey compressed gas into the accumulator and to extract gas from the accumulator. The system may be operable in at least a charging mode in which the compressor and expander subsystem conveys gas into the layer of compressed gas thereby displacing a corresponding volume of compensation liquid from the layer of compensation liquid within the accumulator out of the accumulator via the compensation liquid flow path thereby maintaining the layer of compressed gas at substantially the accumulator pressure during the charging mode.

Abstract: A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.

Abstract: A compressed gas energy storage system may include an accumulator for containing a layer of compressed gas atop a layer of liquid. A gas conduit may have an upper end in communication with a gas compressor/expander subsystem and a lower end in communication with accumulator interior for conveying compressed gas into the compressed gas layer of the accumulator when in use. A shaft may have an interior for containing a quantity of a liquid and may be fluidly connectable to a liquid source/sink via a liquid supply conduit. A partition may cover may separate the accumulator interior from the shaft interior. An internal accumulator force may act on the inner surface of the partition and the liquid within the shaft may exert an external counter force on the outer surface of the partition, whereby a net force acting on the partition is less than the accumulator force.

Abstract: A hydrostatically compensated compressed air energy storage system may include an accumulator disposed underground and a compressor/expander subsystem in fluid communication. A compensation shaft may extend between an upper and a lower end and define a shaft depth. An upper end wall can cover the upper end of the shaft. A compensation liquid reservoir can be offset above the upper end wall by a reservoir elevation that is at least about 15% of the shaft depth. A compensation liquid flow path may extend between the compensation liquid reservoir and the accumulator and can include the compensation shaft and a liquid supply conduit extending between the compensation liquid reservoir and the upper end of the compensation shaft whereby a total hydrostatic pressure at the lower end of the shaft is greater than a hydrostatic pressure at a depth that is equal to the shaft depth.

Abstract: A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.

Abstract: A compressed gas energy storage system may include an accumulator for containing a layer of compressed gas atop a layer of liquid. A gas conduit may have an upper end in communication with a gas compressor/expander subsystem and a lower end in communication with accumulator interior for conveying compressed gas into the compressed gas layer of the accumulator when in use. A shaft may have an interior for containing a quantity of a liquid and may be fluidly connectable to a liquid source/sink via a liquid supply conduit. A partition may cover may separate the accumulator interior from the shaft interior. An internal accumulator force may act on the inner surface of the partition and the liquid within the shaft may exert an external counter force on the outer surface of the partition, whereby a net force acting on the partition is less than the accumulator force.

Abstract: A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.

Abstract: A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.