Experimental Demonstration of a Solar Powered High Temperature Latent Heat Storage Prototype: Preliminary Results of an Experimental Validation Campaign

Asem Alemam; Nicolas Lopez Ferber; Tommy Malm; Valerie Eveloy; Nicolas Calvet

doi:10.52825/solarpaces.v2i.968

Authors

Asem Alemam Khalifa University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5188-4403
Nicolas Lopez Ferber Khalifa University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7917-0384
Tommy Malm Khalifa University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6570-1094
Valerie Eveloy Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Nicolas Calvet Khalifa University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4302-913X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v2i.968

Keywords:

Latent Heat Energy Storage, Electrical Thermal Energy Storage, Phase Change Material

Abstract

The challenge of imbalances between renewable energy supply and grid demand underscores the significance of energy storage in microgrids. This research presents an empirical assessment of the operational capabilities of a full-scale Electrical Thermal Energy Storage (ETES) prototype system named Thermal Energy Storage Power On Demand (TES.POD®), in solar-abundant and harsh desert conditions. The system incorporates a high-temperature commercial-scale latent heat thermal energy storage, integrated with a Stirling engine. Over a continuous span of 10 days, from September 26th to October 6th, 2022, the input and output power, as well as the heat transfer fluid temperatures during charging and discharging were monitored to assess the power block and system efficiencies. Results from the experiments reveal that this prototype effectively maintains a near-constant electricity production rate of 10.5 ± 1 kW for a discharge duration of 13 hours. Average cycle efficiency stands at 23%, while power block efficiency reaches 25%. These findings collectively suggest the system's potential for applications involving long duration thermal energy storage.

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Experimental Demonstration of a Solar Powered High Temperature Latent Heat Storage Prototype

Preliminary Results of an Experimental Validation Campaign

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