Modularly deployable and scalable compressed air energy accumulator

A modular energy accumulator system using compressed air, the system comprising:

• a plurality of bladder modules disposed underwater for subjection to a hydrostatic ambient pressure, the plurality of bladder modules including a first bladder module and at least a second bladder module, each of the bladder modules being oriented substantially longitudinally about a vertical axis when made buoyant by ingress of compressed air thereinto;
• and
• an interconnection pipe assembly configured to facilitate ingress of compressed air into the bladder modules up to a pressure level substantially equal to the hydrostatic ambient pressure, and also configured to facilitate egress of air from the bladder modules at the hydrostatic ambient pressure;
• wherein each bladder module is tethered for being maintained in the underwater disposition.

A method of receiving, storing and discharging compressed air energy using a plurality of bladder modules disposed underwater by a plurality of tethers, the underwater disposition for subjecting the plurality of bladders to a hydrostatic ambient pressure, the plurality of bladder modules including a first bladder module and at least a second bladder module, the method comprising:

• receiving, via an interconnection pipe assembly, an inflow of compressed air to fill the plurality of bladder modules to a volume creating a buoyant condition, the bladder modules being at substantially a same depth underwater for subjection to substantially a common hydrostatic ambient pressure, the bladder modules when in the buoyant condition being oriented substantially longitudinally about a vertical axis;
• storing, at the common hydrostatic ambient pressure, the received air within the plurality of bladder modules;
• and
• discharging the air stored at the common hydrostatic ambient pressure from the plurality of bladder modules via the interconnection pipe assembly, the air being discharged at a substantially constant discharge pressure.

A modular energy accumulator system using compressed air, the system comprising:

• a plurality of bladder modules disposed underwater by tethering at substantially a same depth for subjection to a hydrostatic ambient pressure, the plurality of bladder modules including a first bladder module and at least a second bladder module, each of the bladder modules being made buoyant by ingress of compressed air thereinto;
• and
• an interconnection pipe assembly configured to facilitate ingress of compressed air into the bladder modules up to a pressure level substantially equal to the hydrostatic ambient pressure, and also configured to facilitate egress of air from the bladder modules at the hydrostatic ambient pressure;
• wherein each bladder module is tethered for being maintained in the underwater disposition.

A method of receiving, storing and discharging compressed air energy using a plurality of bladder modules disposed underwater by a plurality of tethers, the underwater disposition for subjecting the plurality of bladders to a hydrostatic ambient pressure, the plurality of bladder modules including a first bladder module and at least a second bladder module, the method comprising:

• receiving, via a first interconnection pipe assembly, an inflow of compressed air to fill the plurality of bladder modules to a volume creating a buoyant condition, the bladder modules being at substantially a same depth underwater for subjection to substantially a common hydrostatic ambient pressure when made buoyant;
• storing, at the common hydrostatic ambient pressure, the received air within the plurality of bladder modules;
• and
• discharging the air stored at the common hydrostatic ambient pressure from the plurality of bladder modules via a second interconnection pipe assembly, the air being discharged at a substantially constant discharge pressure.