Peak power generation

Claim 1

A process for the generation of electric power during periods of peak power demand, employing a fuel gasification facility, turbine expanders, and an associated underground air storage reservoir, comprising the steps of: (a) compressing ambient air, by passage through at least one compressor stage, to a pressure greater than that maintained in the air storage reservoir, the compressor system of at least one compressor stage being driven at least in part by engagement with at least one turbine expander powered by a hot combustion gas mixture; (b) cooling the compressed air to substantially ambient temperature by heat exchange serially with air and water feed streams to the fuel gasification facility; (c) injecting the cooled, compressed air into the underground air storage reservoir through a first well system in communication therewith; (d) withdrawing stored, compressed air from the underground air storage reservoir through a second well system, responsive at least in part to a peak power demand; (e) commingling the withdrawn compressed air with fuel gas, from the fuel gasification facility, in a combustion zone to effect substantially complete combustion of the fuel gas; (f) generating electric power by passing the hot combustion gas mixture through at least one turbine expander in engagement with an electric power generation means; (g) discharging the expanded combustion gas to the atmosphere at substantially ambient temperature and pressure; and (h) delivering the generated electric power to a power supply system;