Quantitative Estimation of Type Selection of Underground Lined Rock Caverns for Compressed Air Energy Storage Based on Numerical Simulations

Selecting the type of lined rock cavern (LRC) is a critical aspect in the construction of compressed air energy storage (CAES) plants. Present research on CAES has mainly focused on site selection, sealing performance, and stability of underground LRCs. Insufficient attention has been given to the selection of LRC type, which is a prerequisite for further detailed analyses of LRCs. To overcome this limitation, based on reliable numerical simulation, in this study, we simulate the mechanical responses of two popular types of LRCs: tunnel-type and silo-type LRCs. Parameter sensitivity analysis is then conducted based on the mechanical response, including parameters such as the deformation modulus of the surrounding rock mass, Poisson’s ratio, cohesion, friction angle, crustal stress, and lateral stress coefficient. Based on the simulated results, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method is used to propose scoring systems for the two types of LRCs. This scoring system can be used for quantitative estimation of an appropriate LRC in CAES systems.