Liquid Air Energy Storage Systems in the United States

Repowering America’s Peaker Plants with Clean, Dispatchable Energy

Cryogenic Equipment Services (CES) has developed a high‑efficiency Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) system engineered specifically to repower aging and decommissioned peaker plants across the United States. Instead of relying on fossil‑fuel combustion during periods of peak electricity demand, CES technology stores off‑peak electricity as liquid air and converts it back into power when the grid needs it most.

Built on proven cryogenic air‑separation technology and supported by patented system innovations, the CES LAES platform provides utilities and grid infrastructure with a scalable, long‑duration energy storage solution capable of delivering reliable peak power while significantly reducing emissions and operating costs.
As electricity demand grows due to industrial expansion, electrification, and data center development, modernizing the nation’s peaker plant fleet has become a critical priority. CES enables existing peaker plant sites to be transformed into advanced energy storage facilities while preserving valuable grid infrastructure and transmission access.

Our Process

Key

M – Motor (supplies off-peak electricity to support compressor)

C – Compressor (produces compressed air to the molecular sieve)

S – Molecular Sieve(separates CO2 and moisture)

L – Liquifier (-300 F employes cryogenic technology to form liquid air)

ST – Storage Tank (provides reservoir of liquid air for economic dispatch)

P – Liquid Air Pump (transfers liquid air to vaporizer)

V – Vaporizer (produces high-pressure compressed air to the expander/generator)

E – Electricity Generator (employs conventional turbine technology to produce)

The Opportunity: Modernizing the U.S. Peaker Plant Fleet

CES Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) provides a direct route to modernize the 1,100+ aging U.S. peaker plants by repowering existing infrastructure with clean, zero-emission technology. By utilizing existing grid interconnections and switchgear, the CES LAES system transforms legacy fossil-fuel assets into facilities that are four times more efficient than the old, inefficient units they replace.
CES liquid air energy storage provides a clear pathway to modernize these assets by repowering existing peaker plant infrastructure with clean energy storage technology.
Instead of burning fuel, CES systems use low‑cost off‑peak electricity to produce liquid air, store it in cryogenic tanks, and then expand it through turbine generators to produce electricity when demand and energy prices are highest.
This approach allows utilities and infrastructure investors to transform legacy peaker plants into revenue‑generating energy storage facilities while maintaining grid reliability.

Key Advantages of CES Liquid Air Energy Storage

The CES liquid air energy storage model recognizes value from:

High‑Efficiency Energy Storage – Approximately 85% round‑trip efficiency using integrated thermal energy recovery.
Scalable System Design – Modular systems ranging from roughly 5 MW to 50+ MW depending on site requirements.
Infrastructure Reuse – Designed to integrate with existing peaker plant switchgear and grid interconnections.
Compact Urban Deployment – Safer and more space‑efficient than large lithium‑ion battery installations.
Proven Industrial Technology – Built on established cryogenic and turbine technologies widely used in industrial gas processing.

a large metal pipe next to a tall white building

A refinery with large stainless steel storage tanks during sunset, showcasing industrial infrastructure.

A Smarter Alternative to Fossil‑Fuel Peaker Plants

Traditional peaker plants operate only during periods of peak demand but generate significant emissions and incur high operating costs when dispatched. CES liquid air energy storage replaces combustion‑based peak generation with a closed‑loop cryogenic energy storage process that stores and releases electricity without burning fuel.
By repowering existing peaker plants rather than constructing entirely new infrastructure, CES enables utilities to preserve valuable urban grid connections while transitioning to a cleaner, more efficient peak‑power solution.

Advantages for Re-Powering Peaker Plants

Environmental Justice & Health – Replacing aging, high-emission units reduces the disproportionate pollution burden (nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide) on disadvantaged or low-income communities
Enhanced Economic Efficiency – Modern storage solutions eliminate the high operation and maintenance costs of older fossil-fuel units that often run only during short periods of peak demand.
Climate-Resilient Reliability – Provides the quick-ramping resources necessary to stabilize the grid during extreme heat events and increasing renewable energy penetration.
Superior Peak Management – Energy storage handles short-duration peak demand with faster, more accurate, and more flexible response times than aging gas plants.
Policy & Incentive Alignment – Leverages federal and state drivers, such as the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits, to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized grid.
Sustainable Infrastructure Transition – Upgrading existing sites ensures a cleaner and more reliable energy future without the environmental risks associated with mining and disposing of large-scale battery systems.

Why LAES is a Stronger Alternative to Batteries

Long-Duration Capability – Unlike batteries, which are typically limited to 8 hours, our industrial-scale technology is designed for 20–40 years of service, far outlasting the 8–10 year lifecycle of standard battery systems. This makes LAES better equipped to handle multi-day or seasonal demand spikes where lithium-ion remains cost-prohibitiv
Grid Stability – LAES utilizes turbine-based technologies that provide a more robust substitute for the reliability of flexible gas turbines compared to „weak“ battery substitutes
High-Density Spatial Efficiency – CES LAES delivers utility-scale storage with only marginal increases in acreage, fitting within the existing footprint of a retired peaker plant. While battery installations often require several acres of land to achieve the same capacity , our compact design maximizes limited space in urban or industrial environments

Maximizing Asset Value: The Revenue Stack

To maximize profitability, modern Independent Power Producers (IPPs) utilize revenue stacking—layering multiple income streams from a single asset to increase returns and mitigate risk. This flexible approach allows operators to dynamically target the most profitable market services in real-time. These Include:

Wholesale Energy Markets (Arbitrage) – Storing electricity when prices are low and selling during peak demand or low renewable generation to manage market volatility.
Ancillary Services (Grid Support) – Stabilizing the grid through frequency regulation and reserves, often providing 50–80% of revenue for flexible assets.
Capacity Payments (Resource Adequacy) – Securing long-term payments to ensure energy availability during periods of critical high demand..
Long-Term Contracts (PPAs) – Utilizing 10–25 year Power Purchase Agreements to provide stable, fixed-price revenue and reduce merchant risk.
Other Revenue Streams – Capturing additional value through Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), system integrity schemes, and tolling agreements.

By leveraging these five pillars, CES LAES transforms legacy assets into highly efficient, multi-income facilities that remain economically resilient while meeting the demand for clean, reliable peak power.

Why CES Liquid Air Energy Storage Stands Apart

85%+ Verified Round-Trip Efficiency

Independently validated simulations confirm more than 85% energy return to the grid, delivering dependable long-duration performance.

Long-Duration, Dispatchable Grid Power

Flexible multi-hour discharge capability supports ISO participation, peak demand management, and grid stabilization.

Carbon-Free, Fuel Cost-Free Operation

Operates without fossil fuels or external heat, reducing operating costs while supporting decarbonization goals.