Focal Interest
Focal Interest
AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

This page presents an AI-generated summary of a published research paper. The original authors did not write or review this article. [See full disclosure ↓]

Publishing process signals: STANDARD — reflects the venue and review process. — venue and review process.

Improved LCOE model raises estimated cost for floating offshore air storage

A row of offshore wind turbines silhouetted against a cloudy sky at dusk or dawn, viewed from across open ocean water with a seabird flying in the upper portion of the frame.
Photo by Mark Timberlake on Unsplash · Unsplash License
Research area:EngineeringOcean EngineeringCompressed air

What the study found

The study found that an improved Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) model estimated a higher cost for a floating grid-type offshore compressed air energy storage system than a traditional model. The authors report LCOE values of 160.49 USD/MWh for the improved model and 139.34 USD/MWh for the traditional model.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that both technical design and policy factors are critical in determining the overall cost-effectiveness of offshore compressed air energy storage (ASS-OCAES). The study suggests that evaluating marine-specific conditions and economic settings is important when assessing this type of energy storage.

What the researchers tested

The researchers developed an improved LCOE model for a novel floating grid-type air storage structure for offshore compressed air energy storage. The structure uses interconnected non-bonded flexible hoses secured by a seabed-anchored mooring grid, and the model includes capital, installation, operating, depth-dependent mooring and hose requirements, installation logistics, environmental resilience, system efficiency, availability, and component replacement cycles.

What worked and what didn't

The results show that the improved model produced a higher LCOE than the traditional model. Sensitivity analysis indicated that hose unit price had a relatively minor effect on LCOE, while offshore wind electricity price had a much stronger influence. Scenario testing showed the same trend for on-grid electricity prices, VAT, and sales surcharges; operation and maintenance cost remained unaffected, and income tax could remain at zero from years 7–20 when the price was relatively low.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the scope of the model and scenario analysis. The findings are based on an economic assessment and benchmarking of ASS-OCAES against conventional OCAES configurations, so they apply to the conditions tested in the study.

Key points

  • An improved LCOE model estimated ASS-OCAES at 160.49 USD/MWh, compared with 139.34 USD/MWh for a traditional model.
  • The model was built for a floating grid-type offshore compressed air energy storage structure with flexible hoses and a seabed-anchored mooring grid.
  • Hose unit price had a relatively minor effect on LCOE, while offshore wind electricity price had a much stronger influence.
  • On-grid electricity price, VAT, and sales surcharges followed the same trend as electricity price in scenario testing.
  • Operation and maintenance cost remained unaffected, and income tax could remain at zero from years 7–20 when the price was relatively low.

Disclosure

Research title:
Improved LCOE model raises estimated cost for floating offshore air storage
Publication date:
2026-03-30
DOI:
10.4043/36594-ms
OpenAlex record:
View
Image credit:
Photo by Mark Timberlake on Unsplash · Unsplash License
AI provenance: AI provenance information is not available for this post.

More posts