Recent advances in hybrid compressed air energy storage systems: Technology categorization, integration potentials with renewable energy systems, and retrofitting improvement strategies

The unpredictable nature of renewable energy creates uncertainty and imbalances in energy systems. Incorporating energy storage systems into energy and power applications is a promising approach to provide economic, technical, and environmental benefits to these energy systems. Among different energy storage options, compressed air energy storage (CAES) is a concept for thermo-mechanical energy storage with the potential to offer large-scale, and sustainable operation. However, the low roundtrip efficiency and high unit storage cost are the main drawbacks that impede the commercialization of this kind of advanced technology. This review paper covers the technological advancements, design criteria, retrofitting enhancement strategies, and renewable energies' emerging application potentials for improving the thermo-economic performances of CAES systems. More so, the paper also discusses the recent scheduling considerations, challenges, and the role of solar and wind powered CAES systems in micro-grid distribution within energy networks, and energy market environments. Lastly, the limitations and future expectations of CAES are also highlighted. The paper serves as a detailed guide for planning and implementing various types of renewable driven CAES configurations in diverse applications.