Theoretical Study on Scale Change of Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Solar Power Plants
Abstract
One of the main targets to reach maximum effectiveness of solar power plants is the mismatch between the curve of energy demand and that of energy production. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems are among the best solution to manage this mismatch, but they may also help to reach a more stable electric energy production, prevent possible decreases of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) temperature and reduce the start up time of the power plant. On the other hand, the selection of a suitable TES system for a solar power plant or an industrial application would be rather debatable if there is no data available about the behavior of the corresponding storage material under cumulated thermal cycles. Until today, the current way to carry out such short and middle time predictions is composed of limited experiments at laboratory or pilot scale. Those tests are usually achieved using kilograms of materials cycled during few weeks up to few months. In comparison, corresponding industrial operation concerns several thousands of tons used for about 35 years. Therefore, the above approaches cannot predict accurately the behavior of the real system for years of operation at full scale. Without this needed level of expertise, the investment in new TES materials and systems and their use at industrial scale for the electric production companies could lead to a very high risk.