An innovative energy storage bridge

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wong, C.

Affiliations: Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong, China E-mail: Carlos.Wong@arup.com; carloswong2009@gmail.com

Abstract: The innovation is to turn bridges into energy storage units in addition to their usual function. Today the methods for mass energy storage are the pumped hydro-electric and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES). Whilst the former requires two reservoirs at different levels, the CAES requires only space for storing compressed air. Underground caverns have been used for CAES in power plants in Huntorf of Germany, 1978 and McIntosh of Alabama, USA, 1991 (Crotogino et al. [2]). The CAES of a power plant is to regulate the mismatching supply and demand of the grid power, so that the electricity would not be wasted when it is not needed. It is equally important to save energy as to regenerate it. To store the equivalent energy of a power plant, a sizable container is needed. Suitable underground caverns are difficult to find. Bridge structures are plentiful in many cities and their body space is voluminous. Steel pipes are the most effective structural element in storing compressed air. It can perform as a beam to carry loads. The new bridge form is to replace the girders with steel pipes that can carry loads and compressed air. The pipes provide the space for storing mass of unwanted electricity and the intermittent power output from regenerated energy sources such as wind and solar. The stored compressed air can be released to regenerate power according to the demands. The bridge is designed to operate in three levels of safety measures. With proper implementation, it will substantially reduce the energy wastage in the grid and the carbon footprint of the city, and create new industry and new jobs. This paper gives a description of the new bridge form and its applications.

Keywords: Energy storage bridge, ESB, innovative bridge, compressed air energy storage, CAES, caverns, steel-pipe deck, bridge for grid power balancing, bridge for environment heating and cooling

DOI: 10.3233/BRS-2011-022

Journal: Bridge Structures, vol. 7, no. 2-3, pp. 55-64, 2011