WIND STORAGE SEEKS SANDSTONE

270MW Iowa compressed air project cancelled
James Quilter, 1 August 2011 (Windpower Monthly)

"A planned 270MW wind project utilising compressed-air energy storage has been cancelled…The Iowa Stored Energy Project (ISEP)… near Des Moines, would have taken wind energy produced during off-peak times and stored it in sandstone as compressed air.

"However, geological studies have shown the sandstone at the site is not suitable for the size of the project…[but] Bob Schulte — who led the assessment…— said that the concept was still sound…"

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"…[E]conomic studies performed for ISEP show that…[it] can be cost effective compared to conventional generation alternatives and supportive of additional wind-energy development…

"…[T]he decision only reflected the ISEP project…[A]n announcement over further projects [will] be taken at a later date."