Wind Powered Water Pumping Incorporating Compressed Air Energy Storage

Z4 Energy System, LLC's Compressed Air Water Pumping (CAWP) system is a new water pumping product that uses compressed air produced by wind power to operate a water pump, and stores compressed air for pumping during times with no wind. CAWP will be employed in areas where municipal water systems and grid provided electricity to operate water pumps are not available or practical. CAWP will provide a solution for water problems experienced by livestock growers that raise animals in remote pastures, organic/natural livestock producers, off-grid homeowners and recreational landowners, off-grid commercial and government facilities and municipal waste pond operators, wildlife habitat conservators, humanitarian and water relief organizations, and international users with similar requirements and site conditions. Water is a basic requirement for virtually all agricultural, industrial, urban, and recreational activities, as well as the sustained health of the natural environment. In the last 100 years the global population has tripled and the global water demand increased by a factor of six. Worldwide, a billion people do not have access to clean, sanitary water. In the U.S., the agriculture industry is the largest consumer of fresh water resources and includes 856,143 livestock operations that consume more than 1 billion gallons of water per day. During Phase II, a prototype system will be fabricated and tested under controlled, laboratory conditions to verify that operating efficiency meets computer model predictions. A prototype will then be field tested for 12 months to confirm actual performance to laboratory test results. Field trials are expected to show that CAWP features enable 21 key benefits: CAES - (1) water pumping during times of no wind, (2) no batteries required, (3) energy storage method is maintenance free and (4) is not temperature dependent. On-demand water pumping - (5) no need for oversized water tank, (5) eliminates water tank overflow, (7) reduces water evaporation losses, (8) eliminates mud and ice buildup around stock tanks, (9) pond or stream water can be pumped away from riparian areas and (10) eliminates need for water holding tank for domestic use. Wind-powered air compressor powers the system - (11) excess air aerates stock tank to delay wintertime freeze-over, (12) water can be available in remote pastures longer during winter to improve pasture utilization and (13) better pasture utilization reduces cost of feed. Water pump powered by compressed air - (14) pump can pump dry without damage and (15) pumping sludge will not damage the pump. Low cost air hose transfers energy for pumping and energy storage - (16) air compressor tower can be sited in the best wind resource area and (17) air compressor tower can be centrally sited with low-cost air hose used to run multiple wells. 100% wind powered - (18) no recurring fuel costs, (19) sustainable energy, (20) benign impact on the environment and (21) eligible for renewable energy rebates, tax incentives and cost sharing programs.