Analysis of Disadvantages of Photovoltaic Molten Salt Energy Storage

The major advantages of molten salt thermal energy storage include the medium itself (inexpensive, non-toxic, non-pressurized, non-flammable), the possibility to provide superheated steam up to 550 °C for power generation and large-scale commercially demonstrated storage systems (up to about 4000 MWh th) as well as separated power components .

These conventional MSs have been used extensively in thermal energy storage, but they have several serious disadvantages. Firstly, the decomposition at capacity, and high temperature operation, which enhances the overall efficiency of energy conversion processes. This technology is particularly well-suited for solar thermal power plants .

Developers of CSP plants using molten-salt TES systems are facing several challenges including the reduction of molten salt cost and reducing the risk of molten salt freezing. Parasitic use, antifreeze costs, and circulation pumping costs are all issues.

Abstract. Concentrated Solar Thermal Power has an advantage over other renewable technologies because it can provide 24-hour power availability through its integration with a thermal energy storage system. Phase change materials in the form of eutectic salt mixtures show great promise as a potential thermal energy storage medium.

In recent years, research has focused on the development of multicomponent mixtures of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and zinc chlorides. Nonetheless, although lithium and zinc chlorides offer the mixtures the lowest melting point, their high cost implies a major disadvantage [15, 72, 73].

Analysis of Disadvantages of Photovoltaic Molten Salt Energy Storage [PDF] Chat with us

6 FAQs about [Analysis of Disadvantages of Photovoltaic Molten Salt Energy Storage]

Can molten salts be used as storage in concentrating solar power plants?

Concentrated solar power plants belong to the category of clean sources of renewable energy. The paper discusses the possibilities for the use of molten salts as storage in modern CSP plants. Besid...

What are the disadvantages of molten salt?

Its main drawbacks are the temperature stability and its energy storage density, which is lower than latent and thermochemical TES . For high temperature applications, such as CSP, molten salts are the most widely used material.

How molten salts are used in thermal energy storage?

The heat from a heat-generating process is transferred to a heat transfer media and can be extracted later using a secondary power cycle. There are several types of facilities that use thermal energy storage with molten salts, such as concentrated solar power plants (CSP plants) or nuclear hybrid energy systems (NHES).

Does a concentrated solar power plant use salt phase change material storage?

From a holistic perspective, it is evident that the utility of the PCM is heavily affected by the upstream and downstream components of the storage tank. A concentrated solar power plant integrated with salt phase change material storage is a highly complex system, therefore its most optimal design requires a holistic approach.

Can molten salt storage be used as a peaking power plant?

Drost proposed a coal fired peaking power plant using molten salt storage in 1990 112. Conventional power plant operation with a higher flexibility using TES was examined in research projects (e.g., BMWi funded projects FleGs 0327882 and FLEXI-TES 03ET7055).

What are the technological and economic problems faced by solar power plants?

Several technological and economic problems must be overcome by concentrated solar power plants, thermofluids and heat transfer fluids, and thermal energy storage systems. Economic problems include high capital costs, pricing unpredictability, finance, lack of scale, material prices, availability, and operational expenses.

Analysis of Disadvantages of Photovoltaic Molten Salt Energy Storage