# How Heated Water and Compressed Air Generate Electricity > This patent describes a system that stores energy as compressed air and generates electricity by injecting that air into heated water, creating an upward flow that drives a hydro-electric turbine. - **Patent:** US 11532949 - **Original title:** System for energy storage and electrical power generation - **Owner:** Augwind - **Granted:** 2022 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 3 - **Field:** energy, telecommunications, mechanical, software, clean_energy ## What it does The system stores energy by compressing air. To generate electricity, this compressed air is injected into a "riser tube" submerged in a "water collecting tank" (Claim 1). The air forms bubbles, which makes the water less dense and causes an "upward flow" of water and bubbles (Claim 1). This moving water then drives a "hydro-electric power system" to produce electricity (Claim 1). A key feature is a "water heating system" that warms the water in the tank to a temperature higher than the surrounding air, which helps make the process more efficient (Claim 1). For example, solar panels can be used to heat the water (Claim 3). ## What it does NOT cover - Systems that generate electricity from compressed air without using an airlift pumping mechanism. - Airlift pumping systems that do not include a water heating system to warm the collecting water to a temperature above ambient air. - Energy storage systems that use a gas other than compressed air to drive the electricity generation process. - Electricity generation from compressed air where the compressed air is not utilized at a temperature greater than ambient air. - Hydro-electric systems not specifically driven by the upward flow of water mixed with injected air bubbles. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in combining compressed air energy storage with an airlift pumping system where the collecting water is actively heated. Heating the water increases the efficiency of the airlift pump, allowing more electricity to be generated from the same amount of compressed air than if cold water were used. ## Real-world examples 1. Large-scale grid energy storage facilities 2. Renewable energy integration projects 3. Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) plants ## Why it matters This technology addresses the challenge of storing energy from intermittent sources like solar and wind power. By storing energy as compressed air and then efficiently converting it back to electricity, it can help stabilize power grids. Systems like this are important for ensuring a reliable supply of clean energy when renewable sources are not actively generating. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Heated Water and Compressed Air Generate Electricity cover? This patent describes a system that stores energy as compressed air and generates electricity by injecting that air into heated water, creating an upward flow that drives a hydro-electric turbine. ### Who owns patent US 11532949? Augwind owns this patent, granted in 2022. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on July 21, 2041, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 11532949 cited by? This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This technology addresses the challenge of storing energy from intermittent sources like solar and wind power. By storing energy as compressed air and then efficiently converting it back to electricity, it can help stabilize power grids. Systems like this are important for ensuring a reliable supply of clean energy when renewable sources are not actively generating. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Systems that generate electricity from compressed air without using an airlift pumping mechanism. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11532949/system-for-energy-storage-and-electrical-power-generation **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11532949 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Capturing Carbon Dioxide While Making Electricity with Hydrogen and Solar](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12327854/apparatuses-and-methods-for-carbon-dioxide-capturing-and-electrical-energy-produ) — This patent describes an integrated system that captures carbon dioxide from the air or industrial exhaust while simultaneously generating clean electricity using a hydrogen gas turbine powered by solar-generated hydrogen and oxygen, all without burning fossil fuels. - [Smart Energy System for Power, Heating, and Cooling Grids](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10480867/combined-heating-power-and-cooling-apparatus-with-energy-storage-type-adapted-to) — This patent describes a complex energy system that combines electricity generation, heating, and cooling with energy storage to help power grids manage their load more flexibly. - [Managing Power with Different Types of Batteries in an Energy Storage System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10756544/energy-storage-system-and-management-method-thereof) — This patent describes an energy storage system that uses multiple types of batteries, each with different charging and discharging speeds, to efficiently manage power from various sources like solar panels or the main power grid for different electricity needs. - [Making Iron More Efficiently and Generating Power with Oxygen](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8133298/blast-furnace-iron-production-with-integrated-power-generation) — This patent describes an integrated system that uses extra oxygen in a blast furnace to make iron more efficiently, while also capturing the furnace's waste gases to generate electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. - [How to Capture Carbon Dioxide from Air or Smoke Using Seawater](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11648507/process-and-apparatus-of-ocean-carbon-capture-and-storage) — This patent describes a system that uses natural seawater to wash carbon dioxide out of industrial smoke or the air, then stores it safely in the ocean, aiming for an affordable, green way to fight climate change.