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Numerical simulation of thermo-mechanical response and damage evolution in a lined cavern for compressed air energy storage
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Liang WEI1, Jisheng YANG1, Yongtao ZOU1, Yanming CHEN1, Peng LI2, Zhi WANG3
Thermal Power Generation | 2026, 55(4) : 30 - 40
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Thermal Power Generation | 2026, 55(4): 30-40
• Energy storage technology •
Numerical simulation of thermo-mechanical response and damage evolution in a lined cavern for compressed air energy storage
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Liang WEI1, Jisheng YANG1, Yongtao ZOU1, Yanming CHEN1, Peng LI2, Zhi WANG3
Affiliations
  • 1.Qinghai Longyuan New Energy Co., Ltd., Haixi Prefecture 816000, China
  • 2.Power China Zhongnan Engineering Corporation Limited, Changsha 410014, China
  • 3.School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Published: 2026-04-25 doi: 10.19666/j.rlfd.202509079
Outline
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[Objective]

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) plays a critical role in stabilizing power systems with high penetration of renewable sources by mitigating intermittency and supporting the achievement of “dual-carbon” objectives. The thermo-mechanical response and damage evolution of an underground lined CAES cavern under repeated operational cycles are investigated based on a 30 000 m³ demonstration project in Zhangbei County.

[Methods]

A coupled thermo-mechanical numerical model is developed using COMSOL Multiphysics, incorporating non-ideal thermodynamics of high-pressure air, a fracture energy-based damage model for concrete, the reinforcing effect of steel bars, and the mechanical behavior of the excavation damaged zone (EDZ).

[Results]

Simulations are conducted under a typical operational cycle comprising 8 h charging, 4 h pressure maintenance, 4 h discharging, and 8 h maintenance. The results reveal significant temperature fluctuations inside the cavern (−30.68~70.18 ℃). Concrete cracking is found to initiate at a low internal pressure (~1.9 MPa) and evolve into circumferentially spaced cracks. Steel reinforcement effectively carries tensile stress at crack locations, demonstrating effective collaboration with concrete. The surrounding rock is shown to bear approximately 97.7% of the internal pressure, with its stiffness significantly affecting lining stress and cavern convergence. Increased EDZ stiffness is observed to improve load transfer and stability. Plastic zones are found to develop predominantly near the cavern crown and bottom during charging, exhibiting irreversible deformation.

[Conclusion]

The synergistic behavior of the steel-concrete-rock composite system is elucidated, providing a theoretical basis for the design and safety assessment of CAES caverns.

compressed air energy storage  /  lined cavern  /  thermo-mechanical coupling  /  damage evolution  /  concrete cracking
Liang WEI, Jisheng YANG, Yongtao ZOU, Yanming CHEN, Peng LI, Zhi WANG. Numerical simulation of thermo-mechanical response and damage evolution in a lined cavern for compressed air energy storage[J]. Thermal Power Generation, 2026 , 55 (4) : 30 -40 . DOI: 10.19666/j.rlfd.202509079
Funding
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  • Scientific and Technological Innovation Talent Project of Hunan Furong Program(2025RC5004)
  • Core Research Project of Power China Group(DJ-HCGG-2024-06)
  • Major Special Project of Power China Group(ZSGN-KW2404-006)
Appendix
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Year 2026 volume 55 Issue 4
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Article Info
doi: 10.19666/j.rlfd.202509079
  • Receive Date：2025-09-24
  • Online Date：2026-08-14
  • Published：2026-04-25
Article Data
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History
  • Received：2025-09-24
  • Revised：2025-10-25
  • Accepted：2025-11-18
Funding
Scientific and Technological Innovation Talent Project of Hunan Furong Program(2025RC5004)
Core Research Project of Power China Group(DJ-HCGG-2024-06)
Major Special Project of Power China Group(ZSGN-KW2404-006)
Affiliations
    1.Qinghai Longyuan New Energy Co., Ltd., Haixi Prefecture 816000, China
    2.Power China Zhongnan Engineering Corporation Limited, Changsha 410014, China
    3.School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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https://castjournals.cast.org.cn/joweb/rlfd/EN/10.19666/j.rlfd.202509079
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表12种不同金属材料的力学参数
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Family		 属数
Number of
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Number of
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鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae 2 11 5.26 鹅膏菌属 Amanita 10 4.78
小菇科 Mycenaceae 2 12 5.74 丝盖伞属 Inocybe 5 2.39
多孔菌科 Polyporaceae 8 14 6.70 蜡蘑属 Laccaria 5 2.39
红菇科 Russulaceae 3 23 11.00 小皮伞属 Marasmius 6 2.87
小菇属 Mycena 11 5.26
光柄菇属 Pluteus 5 2.39
红菇属 Russula 17 8.13
栓菌属 Trametes 5 2.39
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