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

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.

Automated summary

Thermal energy storage (TES) is an effective solution to enhance the dispatchability of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. The use of novel TES materials can reduce costs and improve the thermal performance of associated power blocks. This review provides an overview of CSP technologies, TES technologies, and TES-CSP configurations in currently operational facilities, as well as the research and development projects conducted in Europe and North America over the past decade. The review presents data on project details, including TES-CSP configurations, technologies applied, storage capacity, power block information, and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), as well as project location, research period, project leader, and budget information.