Kim, Y.M.Favrat, Daniel2010-01-212010-01-21201010.1016/j.energy.2009.09.011https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/45757WOS:000273884100024Energy storage systems are becoming more important for load leveling, especially for widespread use of intermittent renewable energy. Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is a promising method for energy storage, but large scale CAES is dependent on suitable underground geology. Micro-CAES with man-made air vessels is a more adaptable solution for distributed future power networks. In this paper, energy and exergy analyses of a micro-CAES system are performed, and, to improve the efficiency of the system, some innovative ideas are introduced. The results show that a micro-CAES system could be a very effective system for distributed power networks as a combination that provides energy storage, generation with various heat sources, and an air-cycle heating and cooling system, with a energy density feasible for distributed energy storage and a good efficiency due to the multipurpose system. Especially, quasi-isothermal compression and expansion concepts result in the best exergy efficienciesCompressed air energy storage (CAES)Micro-CAESExergySecond lawAir cycle heating and coolingtext::journal::journal article::research article