CSP-5: Storage and Hybridization

Solar Energy Research Center for India and the United States (SERIIUS)

Thrust:

Multiscale Concentrating Solar Power

Activity:

Thermal storage and hybridization

Objective:

To develop, demonstrate, and test advanced hybridization and storage concepts for scalable CSP systems—both high-temperature (Brayton CO2 cycles) and low-temperature (organic Rankine cycle [ORC]).

Project Milestones:

C24: Cycle analysis that serves high-pressure CO2, low-temperature ORC, storage and hybridization (12 months).

C25: High-temperature molten-salt storage: CFD studies for high-temperature molten-salt storage (18 months).

C26: Selection and characterization of storage material for low-temperature ORC storage (18 months).

C27: Lab-scale experimental high-temperature loop for high-temperature molten-salt storage (30 months).

C28: Molten-salt storage model validation with lab-scale experimental data (30 months).

C29: CFD studies and storage device optimization for low-temperature ORC storage (36 months).

C30: Feasibility study with hybridization on Brayton cycle for high-temperature molten-salt storage (48 months).

C31: Lab-scale experimental loop with phase-change material for low-temperature ORC storage (48 months).

C32: Integrating storage system with ORC loop at IISc-Bangalore and testing (60 months).

Task 1: High-temperature molten salt storage and hybridization for Brayton cycles

  • Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
  • Purdue University
  • Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL)

Development of high-temperature storage technology with molten salts including dual-media thermocline tanks with molten salt as the heat-transfer fluid. Investigate thermocline tanks that retain both heated and cold molten salt in a single-tank volume (separated by buoyancy forces) for CO2 Brayton-cycle plants. Explore use of localized storage (for a few minutes) incorporated inside the receiver using encapsulated phase-change materials in the receiver. CFD modeling.

Task 2: Low-temperature ORC storage and hybridization

  • Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
  • Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)
  • Clique Developments Ltd.
  • Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL)

Model and develop hybridization systems for ORC CSP systems with a focus on maximization of storage. Develop thermal storage technologies including new working fluids and/or phase-change materials for ORC CSP systems.