Published at Clean Technologies – Status of Concentrated Solar Power Plants Installed Worldwide: Past and Present Data

Abstract: Solar energy is not only the most abundant energy on earth but it is also renewable. The use of this energy is expanding very rapidly mainly through photovoltaic technology. However, electricity storage remains a bottleneck in tackling solar resource variability. Thus, solar thermal energy becomes of particular interest when energy storage is required, as …

Published at Energy Conversion and Management – 4E analysis and parameter study of a solar-thermochemical energy storage CCHP system

Abstract: The combination of calcium looping and concentrating solar power (CSP) is a promising energy conversion technology that can greatly increase the share of solar energy used in combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) systems. This paper designs a CCHP system based on solar energy and thermochemical energy storage. The system runs all day through …

Published at Energy – A cascaded thermochemical energy storage system enabling performance enhancement of concentrated solar power plants

Abstract: Calcium looping (CaL) thermochemical energy storage (TCES) exhibits promising potential for application in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. However, the CSP-CaL integrating system encounters challenges related to elevated heat loss and diminished power generation efficiency. Herein, for the sake of a more rational heat management and enhanced energy utilization, we propose a cascaded energy …

Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – Artificial neural Network-Based LCOH estimation for concentrated solar power plants for industrial process heating applications

Abstract: A study was conducted to assess the feasibility of a 5MWt solar-only parabolic trough concentrated solar power (CSP) for industrial process heat (IPH) in various locations across Morocco. Furthermore, the initial plant design has been optimized by considering the number of full-load storage hours and the size of the solar field. Additionally, this study …

Published at Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews – Economically feasible solutions in concentrating solar power technology specifically for heliostats – A review

Abstract: The progress in the deployment of power towers directly affected the reduction of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), a standard for economic assessment of technologies producing electricity. LCOE of CSP plants is predicted to drop down to less than 0.05 USD/kWh in the coming years. Fig. 2 gives the LCOE of various plants …

Published at Energy – Concentrated solar heat for the decarbonization of industrial chemical processes: a case study on crude oil distillation

Abstract: A novel strategy for the decarbonization of crude oil distillation was proposed considering two distillation columns located in Sicily that were simulated by adapting the equipment datasheet of the refinery Raffineria di Milazzo (RAM). The proposed approach consists of the integration of the topping section with a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant to decrease …

Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – Enhancement of the Power-to-Heat Energy Conversion Process of a Thermal Energy Storage Cycle through the use of a Thermoelectric Heat Pump

Abstract: The principal strategy for achieving a neutral climate entails enhancing the share of renewable energies in the energy mix, in conjunction with promoting innovation in efficient technologies. Thermal energy storage systems have the potential to efficiently handle the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, these systems can effectively handle shifts in both heat …

Published at Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments – Energy systems capacity planning under high renewable penetration considering concentrating solar power

Abstract: With the rapid development of renewable generation and the promotion of “Clean Heating”, the uncertainty of renewables as well as rising energy demand has posed significant problems to the energy system’s economical and flexible operation. As a renewable energy generation technology, concentrating solar power (CSP) with thermal energy storage (TES) offers a promising approach …

Published at Chemical Engineering Science – Experimental screening of metal nitrides hydrolysis for green ammonia synthesis via solar thermochemical looping

Abstract: Ammonia is a fundamental chemical commodity for fertilizers and as a novel energy vector. Solar-driven ammonia synthesis is proposed as a sustainable alternative to the catalytic energy-intensive and CO2-emitting Haber-Bosch process. The considered thermochemical process aims to produce ammonia from nitrogen and water (N2 + 3H2O → 2NH3 + 1.5O2) via redox cycles using a solar heat source, thus bypassing …

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells – Incorporation of CaZrO3 into calcium-based heat carriers for efficient solar thermochemical energy storage

Abstract Calcium-based materials (CaCO3/CaO) have shown significant potential for use in thermochemical energy storage systems for concentrated solar power generation due to their low-cost, high-energy storage efficiency, and operational temperature range. However, the energy storage performance of calcium-based heat carriers degrades rapidly over cycles due to high-temperature sintering, limiting practical applications. In this study, we …