A general model for techno-economic analysis of CSP plants with thermochemical energy storage systems

Xinyue Peng, Christos T. Maravelias, Thatcher W. Root

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thermochemical energy storage (TCES), with high energy density and wide operating temperature range, presents a potential solution for CSP plant energy storage. We develop a general optimization based process model for CSP plants employing a wide range of TCES systems which allows us to assess the plant economic feasibility and energy efficiency. The proposed model is applied to a 100 MW CSP plant employing ammonia or methane TCES systems. The methane TCES system with underground gas storage appears to be the most promising option, achieving a 14% LCOE reduction over the current two-tank molten-salt CSP plants. For general TCES systems, gas storage is identified as the main cost driver, while the main energy driver is the compressor electricity consumption. The impacts of separation and different reaction parameters are also analyzed. This study demonstrates that the realization of TCES systems for CSP plants is contingent upon low storage cost and a reversible reaction with proper reaction properties.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSolarPACES 2016
Subtitle of host publicationInternational Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9780735415225
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 27 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event22nd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2016 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Duration: Oct 11 2016Oct 14 2016

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1850
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference22nd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityAbu Dhabi
Period10/11/1610/14/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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