New review highlights the synergy of compressed CO2 energy storage and carbon capture: a path to "dual-power" decarbonization

As the global energy landscape shifts toward renewable sources, the intermittency of wind and solar power poses a significant challenge to grid stability. A promising solution is emerging in the form of Compressed Carbon Dioxide Energy Storage (CCES), a technology that not only stores energy at large scales but also integrates seamlessly with carbon capture, utilization and storage strategies. A comprehensive new review published in the journal ENGINEERING Energy offers a detailed perspective on the advancements of CCES and its transformative potential when coupled with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).

The study, led by researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, North China Electric Power University, and China Petrochemical Corporation, synthesizes the latest technological developments, system configurations, and demonstration projects, mapping a route for CCES to become a cornerstone of future low-carbon energy systems.

Turning a Greenhouse Gas into an Energy Asset

CCES functions similarly to Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) but uses carbon dioxide (CO2) as the working fluid. CO2 offers distinct advantages, including a near-ambient critical temperature (31.4°C) and excellent thermophysical properties, which allow for easier liquefaction and higher energy storage density compared to air.

"The emergence of CCES is driven by the favorable properties of CO2," the authors note. "It represents an advanced frontier in compressed gas energy storage technology and shows a greater potential for energy storage compared to compressed air."

The review categorizes the technology into several configurations, including Liquid CO2 Energy Storage (LCES) and Supercritical CO2 Energy Storage (SC-CCES). Among these, LCES stands out for its high energy storage density, making it less geographically constrained than traditional methods that rely on large underground caverns.

The Power of Integration: CCES Meets CCUS

A central focus of the paper is the integration of CCES with CCUS, a concept that transforms energy storage facilities into multi-functional carbon management hubs. In this "closed-loop" framework, captured CO2 is not treated merely as waste but as a valuable working fluid for energy storage cycles.

The review highlights three key synergistic benefits of this integration:

• Infrastructure Sharing: Facilities can share compressors, pipelines, and storage reservoirs, significantly reducing capital costs.
• Energy Efficiency: Waste heat from industrial carbon capture processes can be recovered and used to preheat CO2 during the energy release phase, boosting the system's round-trip efficiency (RTE).
• Dual-Function Storage: Geological reservoirs, such as saline aquifers or salt caverns, can serve simultaneously as buffers for short-term energy storage and sites for permanent carbon sequestration.

From Pilot to Commercialization

The technology is rapidly moving from the lab to the field. The review details several major demonstration projects currently in operation or construction. Notable examples include the Energy Dome pilot in Italy, which uses flexible gas holders, and China’s Wuhu Conch project, which integrates CCES with cement kiln waste heat recovery. The 100 MW Huadian-Dongfang Electric Mulei project in Xinjiang, China, is set to become the world's largest CO2 energy storage facility, designed to support massive wind and solar power bases.

Future Outlook

While promising, the authors identify critical challenges that must be addressed for widespread adoption. These include the optimization of CO2-based gas mixtures to improve performance, the development of efficient low-pressure liquefaction techniques, and ensuring the long-term safety of geological reservoirs under cyclic pressure loading.

"The integration of CCES with CCUS represents a transformative shift away from single-function energy storage toward synergetic carbon reduction and energy storage," the researchers conclude. They emphasize that future work must focus on high-precision dynamic modeling and multi-objective optimization to balance economic viability with environmental goals.

 

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Journal Reference Information

JOURNAL: ENGINEERING Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-026-1043-7

Article Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11708-026-1043-7

Cite this article: Wu Q, Li Y, Yin L, et al. Compressed CO2 energy storage technology and its integration with CO2 capture, utilization and storage: A review and perspective. ENGINEERING Energy, 2026, 20(2): 10437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-026-1043-7

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