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Thermal Energy Storage in Concentrating Solar Power Plants: A Review of European and North American R&D Projects

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  • Sara Pascual

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Arquitectura (EINA), Universidad de Zaragoza, C/María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Pilar Lisbona

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Arquitectura (EINA), Universidad de Zaragoza, C/María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Luis M. Romeo

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Arquitectura (EINA), Universidad de Zaragoza, C/María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

Thermal energy storage (TES) is the most suitable solution found to improve the concentrating solar power (CSP) plant’s dispatchability. Molten salts used as sensible heat storage (SHS) are the most widespread TES medium. However, novel and promising TES materials can be implemented into CSP plants within different configurations, minimizing the TES costs and increasing the working temperature to improve the thermal performance of the associated power block. The first objective of this review is to provide an overview of the most widespread CSP technologies, TES technologies and TES-CSP configurations within the currently operational facilities. Once this information has been compiled, the second aim is to collect and present the existing European and North American TES-CSP Research and Development (R&D) projects within the last decade (2011–2021). Data related to these projects such as TES-CSP configuration path, TES and CSP technologies applied, storage capacity, power block associated and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of the commercial up-scaling project are presented. In addition, project information such as location, research period, project leader and budget granted are also extracted. A timeline of the R&D projects launched from 2011 is built, showing the technology readiness level (TRL) achieved by the end of the project.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Pascual & Pilar Lisbona & Luis M. Romeo, 2022. "Thermal Energy Storage in Concentrating Solar Power Plants: A Review of European and North American R&D Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-32, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:22:p:8570-:d:974324
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pavlos Nikolaidis, 2023. "Solar Energy Harnessing Technologies towards De-Carbonization: A Systematic Review of Processes and Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-39, August.
    2. Leland Weiss & Ramanshu Jha, 2023. "Small-Scale Phase Change Materials in Low-Temperature Applications: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-24, March.
    3. Sanmartí, Oriol & Vera, Jordi & Torras, Santiago & Pérez-Segarra, Carlos D., 2024. "Parametric study for a structured thermal energy storage system for concentrated solar power plants," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).

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