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In terms of hysteresis, compressed air is definitely a better way to store energy than a battery.

But I'd have to do some calculations on the energy density, plus high-pressure gas is harder to control than a liquid or solid fuel tank or battery... except that in the case of a leak it's less dangerous.

A society committed to the notion that government is always bad will have bad government. And it doesn't have to be that way. — Paul Krugman

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 31st, 2006 at 10:33:13 AM EST
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It's a fair point and one they gave much consideration to with the result that they use the same tanks used by buses in Germany that run on natural gas which is highly explosive and needs to be carefully controlled coming out of the tank. Air of course is not.

"When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon." Thomas Paine
by Noel Guinane (noel at bloodandtreasure.com) on Fri Mar 31st, 2006 at 04:10:47 PM EST
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