The Case for Liquid Air Energy

The liquid air alternative to fossil fuels is gaining traction as a large-scale energy storage solution, particularly in the wind power sector. In the UK, Highview Power is working with Ørsted to pair liquid air energy storage (LAES) with offshore wind farms, turning surplus wind output into dispatchable electricity that can be released when generation drops. This approach supports grid stability, reduces curtailment, and improves renewable systems for performance.

As nations scale up wind and solar generation, LAES is emerging as a crucial enabler of long-duration storage and infrastructure resilience. Its growth is also creating demand for a new generation of engineers and project specialists capable of designing and operating this complex infrastructure.

How liquid air energy storage works

Liquid air energy storage relies on proven cryogenic processes. Air is filtered, compressed, and cooled to around -196 °C until it becomes a liquid. The liquid air is stored in insulated, low-pressure tanks and later warmed to expand rapidly back into gas, driving a turbine that generates power.

The process allows excess renewable electricity, such as from wind farms during high-output periods, to be stored for hours or days and released when generation dips. Unlike battery storage, which depends on limited resources such as lithium or cobalt, LAES uses abundant materials including air, steel, and industrial gases. Its components are well understood and based on long-standing industrial gas and power technologies.

System efficiency generally ranges up to 70% depending on design and heat recovery methods. While not as efficient as batteries, it offers longer storage duration and larger capacity, making it ideal for balancing renewable supply across entire networks.
Projects like the Highview Power and Ørsted collaboration show how liquid air can capture surplus offshore wind energy and feed it back into the grid during calm periods, reducing waste and improving overall grid performance.

Environmental impact

LAES produces no direct emissions or combustion, and when powered by renewables, the carbon footprint of the liquefaction process is minimal. The technology also avoids the environmental impacts associated with battery material extraction and end-of-life disposal.

It can also be located near industrial or utility infrastructure, minimizing land and water usage. According to research from MIT and Highview Power, widespread deployment of LAES could cut millions of tonnes of CO₂ each year, while providing cost-effective long-duration energy storage for renewable-heavy systems. 

Applications in data centers

Data centers are another sector that stands to benefit significantly from liquid air energy storage. These facilities rely on uninterrupted, reliable power, traditionally supported by diesel or gas generators and short-term battery systems. LAES provides a cleaner, scalable alternative that strengthens energy resilience while reducing emissions.

It’s important not to confuse liquid air energy storage with liquid cooling, which is a thermal management system used to keep servers from overheating. Liquid air storage doesn’t cool IT hardware directly. Instead, it stores energy by cooling air to a liquid state, then reuses the cold and heat produced during this process to improve overall energy efficiency. When designed together, the two systems can complement each other, but they serve entirely different purposes.

By storing electricity and releasing it instantly when needed, LAES can keep data centers running during grid interruptions without relying on diesel backup. It can also discharge energy during peak demand, reducing costs and supporting grid stability.

This creates a more circular, sustainable energy model where reliability, efficiency, and carbon reduction work together. As global data usage grows and operators push toward net-zero commitments, liquid air energy storage could replace diesel-based backup power and support more sustainable data center design.

Understanding the technology landscape

Liquid air systems are built on low-temperature gas processing technology that has been used safely for decades in industrial gas production, healthcare, and aerospace. This existing foundation supports rapid scaling across the power and infrastructure sectors.

Compared to other storage options, LAES offers a balance between capacity and complexity. Hydrogen can store more energy but with lower efficiency and higher handling risks. Batteries are efficient for short periods but less economical for multi-day use. Liquid air systems occupy the middle ground, providing long-duration, flexible storage with fewer environmental and supply constraints.

Commercial readiness is progressing fast. The UK is advancing with the first commercial-scale liquid-air energy storage plant under construction, and major development projects are underway across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Strong policy momentum and growing investment in long-duration storage are helping drive further deployment.

Talent & hiring trends

As liquid air energy storage projects expand, organisations are competing for skilled professionals who can deliver complex, large-scale energy systems. The technology demands expertise that bridges engineering, infrastructure, and renewable integration. In the UK alone, Highview Power’s liquid air energy storage plant in Carrington, Manchester, is expected to create over 700 jobs during construction and operation, highlighting how this emerging sector is already driving significant employment and economic growth.

Key roles in demand include:

• Process and thermodynamic engineers developing systems that liquefy and expand air for power generation
• Electrical and controls engineers focused on automation, grid connection, and energy management
• Mechanical design engineers designing turbines, compressors, and pressure systems
• Project managers and site engineers leading construction, commissioning, and operations
• Health, safety, and environmental specialists ensuring regulatory compliance and site safety
• Grid integration experts linking storage with renewables and data center operations

Professionals from oil and gas, power generation, and chemical processing are ideally placed to move into this space. Their skills in thermodynamics, process control, and mechanical systems transfer directly to liquid air energy storage, making it a strong pathway into clean energy careers.

At LVI Associates, we partner with clients across the UK, Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific who are building and operating long-duration storage projects. Our permanent, contract, and multi-hire solutions support every phase of project delivery—from design through operations.

We connect companies with the engineers, project leaders, and environmental specialists who can deliver these assets and we help experienced professionals find opportunities that match their expertise.

Liquid air energy storage is driving the next phase of clean infrastructure growth. Whether you’re looking to hire skilled professionals or exploring new career opportunities, our energy storage talent specialists can help.