Sweden-headed Alfa Laval AB, a global leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation, and fluid handling has announced a new partnership with the Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE) to deliver cutting-edge cryogenic technology for South Korea’s first large-scale liquid air energy storage (LAES) facility. The collaboration marks a significant step toward improving grid stability and renewable energy integration as the country accelerates its transition to a low-carbon future.
Energy storage plays a vital role in enabling the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, strengthening grid resilience, and supporting the transition away from fossil fuels, thereby advancing a more reliable, sustainable, and low-carbon energy system.
Liquid air energy storage (LAES) works by cooling air to cryogenic temperatures, turning it into a liquid that can be stored in insulated tanks.
When energy in the form of power is needed, the liquid air is warmed and expanded to drive turbines, generating electricity.
The process offers a scalable, long-duration storage solution that helps balance supply and demand, reduce renewable power curtailment, and strengthen grid resilience.
We are proud to collaborate with Alfa Laval on this pioneering project. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for energy efficiency and sustainability in South Korea, said Dr Sungho Park, Director of Energy Systems at the Institute for Advanced Engineering.
The project will feature Alfa Laval’s advanced cryogenic equipment, including brazed aluminium plate heat exchangers and a vertical high-pressure cryogenic pump with ten stages, designed to handle extreme conditions with precision and reliability.
The system will produce up to ten tonnes of liquid air per day, enabling efficient energy storage and release when demand peaks.
This partnership demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can drive meaningful progress toward a more sustainable energy system and will strengthen Alfa Laval’s position as a key supplier of LAES technology in South Korea. Our cryogenic technologies are engineered to maximize efficiency and reliability, helping our partners unlock the full potential of renewable energy, said Alasdair Maciver, Head of Energy Storage Solutions, Alfa Laval.
