Abstract: Compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology is a new type of physical energy storage and a kind of large-scale energy storage technology for power generation with broad development prospects. Large-scale CAES usually requires high-capacity underground gas storage devices. Among the existing types of underground compressed air storage reservior, the underground cavern with liner and air sealed layer has become a research hotspot in recent years because of its advantages such as easy site selection and minimal site constraints. Under the background of the urgent need for large-scale CAES technology in China, this paper comprehensively summarized and commented on the theoretical research results and technical development status of man-made cavern for gas storage, discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the existing stability analysis theory of underground gas storage cavern, sealing scheme of lined cavern and thermodynamic process analysis method. The key design points and critical issues that require attention in the development of the man-made underground lined caverns for air storaged project are also discussed. Finally, the challenges affecting the industry development of compressed air energy storage with lined rock caverns were put forward.

Key words: compressed air energy storage (CAES), lined rock cavern, key issues, design points, challenges of industry development