Dresser-Rand Group and Gaelectric have jointly announced that they have entered into a strategic alliance to develop Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) projects in Europe.

Under the Strategic Alliance agreement, Gaelectric and Dresser-Rand will collaborate on the design, development, engineering, procurement, and commissioning of CAES projects throughout Europe.

Initially, Gaelectric and Dresser-Rand will work together on the most advanced European CAES project which is being developed by Gaelectric near Larne, Northern Ireland. When completed, the Larne CAES project will comprise a 268 MW twin power train storage and electricity generation facility. The project envisages a total investment of up to £300m with a target commissioning date of 2017. Dresser-Rand's initial scope of supply will include project management, scheduling and technical support services thru the planning phase of the Larne project including front end engineering and design in 2014.

Full project release is expected at the end of 2014. The project will have significant local economic impacts, including job creation peaking at approximately 300 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase and on-going employment of up to 50 in operations. It is expected 25% of total project costs will be spent in Northern Ireland.

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CAES refers to the storage of energy in the form of compressed air in caverns created within geological salt layers located typically at depths of between 450m and 850m beneath the Earth's surface. Energy is stored by compressing air during periods of low energy demand utilizing compressor technology located at ground level. This stored energy is then available for use in subsequent periods of higher energy demand when it can be released and applied in generating power using significantly lower amounts of natural gas to generate peak time electricity.

CAES technology provides flexible, efficient, and cost effective management of electricity transmission to help meet the challenges of integrating large-scale renewable generation into power systems. Intermittent renewable power (such as wind) can be stored when it is generated and released when it is needed. Other benefits include lower overall energy costs, maximum use of indigenous renewable energy resources, greater energy security through reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels, and a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of power systems through more sustainable energy generation and management.

Commenting, Gaelectric CEO, Brendan McGrath said: "Dresser-Rand is the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of compression technologies to power markets, and the market leader in CAES technology. Specifically, its heritage and know-how in developing CAES projects over the last 3 decades will be invaluable to the Larne CAES project. We see Larne as the first phase in delivering flexible, efficient and cost effective energy storage to power markets in Europe, and central to achieving targets for the integration of renewable energy sources in the United Kingdom and within the Single Electricity Market on the island of Ireland."

(CD/JP)