A compressor that is running at idle will

usually consume over 30% of its full load

power. This is due in part to degrading motor
efficiency coupled with relatively high
unloaded motor horsepower.

A single-stage rotary screw compressor
consumes 0.5% of its input power to produce
each pound (PSI) of discharge pressure.
A two-stage compressor will consume 0.4%
input power per pound per pressure.

Air flow in CFM is dependent on pressure. As
pressure decreases, air flow through an
orifice, regulator, etc. will also decrease. A
0.25 inch orifice will discharge 126 CFM at 125
PSIG and only 95 CFM at 90 PSIG -- a
reduction of 25%.

The same 100 hp air compressor operating at
125 PSIG may be capable of fully meeting
system demand operating only at 110 PSIG.
This additional 15 PSIG pressure translates
into a potential power cost of $3,200 per year.
In addition, the same 15 PSIG increases air
consumption by 11% due to increased air flow
at the higher pressure.
The mass of compressed air depends on
pressure and temperature.
Increasing pressure increases the density and,
therefore, the mass of air.
Increasing air temperature will decrease the
airs density, decreasing the mass of air.
Generation and Demand are not always equal,
resulting in changing system pressure

When Qgen> Qdmnd, system pressure increases
When Qgen< Qdmnd, system pressure decreases

The energy imbalance between generation and
demand is either absorbed into or released from
storage
Therefore, standards are adopted to express
the mass of air under Standard conditions,
resulting in the definition for a Standard Cubic
Foot of air (scf).
Standard conditions adopted by CAGI
(Compressed Air and Gas Institute) and
Compressed Air Challenge (CAC) are 14.5
psia, 68F, and 0% relative humidity.