Compressed Air Energy Storage‐Based Multigeneration System for Power, Water, and Heat Production: A Techno‐Economic and Environmental Assessment

Abstract

Abstract

ABSTRACT Multigeneration systems have garnered substantial attention for their enhanced efficiency and potential to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels. By enabling the simultaneous production of multiple energy and utility outputs through more effective utilization of the same energy input, such systems contribute directly to sustainability objectives while strengthening both energy resilience and energy security. This study investigates a novel multigeneration compressed air energy storage (CAES) system designed to produce power, desalinated water, and steam. The system integrates air compressors, intercoolers, and after cooler, an underground air cavern, valves, a combustion chamber, a gas turbine, an Organic Rankine cycle (ORC), a steam generator (STG), and a thermoelectric generator (TEG). A comprehensive 4E analysis (energy, exergy, economic, and operational environmental assessment) was carried out to determine system performance under realistic operating conditions. The 1000 m 3 air cavern is charged during six off‐peak hours and discharged over six peak‐demand hours. Under baseline operating conditions and ORC with R245fa as working fluid, the multigeneration‐CAES system generated 53.37 kW of power from gas turbine, 0.89 kg/s of freshwater, and 8.55 kg/h of steam, achieving round‐trip and exergy round‐trip efficiencies of 52.7% and 46.34%, respectively. The total investment cost rate was determined to be 12.47$/h, while the environmental assessment indicated a CO 2 emission reduction to 341.9 kg/MWh compared to its corresponding conventional energy system without bottoming sub‐systems. Parametric analyses showed that increasing the turbine inlet temperature decreases both thermodynamic efficiencies due to more fuel consumption and increased exergy destruction, leading to greater overall emissions and higher investment cost. Conversely, extending the discharge duration lowers the air discharge rate and thermodynamic performance but improves economic viability due to decreased components' costs and further reduces CO 2 emissions. Moreover, changing system pressure ratio and ORC working fluid also impacts the performance of the system. Overall, the results demonstrate that multigeneration‐CAES systems represent a sustainable and scalable pathway for integrated energy production and storage, aligning strongly with the UN's SDGs, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), thereby supporting a more resilient and low‐carbon energy future.