Molten salt energy storage

Molten salt energy storage (MSES) is a type of thermal energy storage that uses molten salts as a medium to store thermal energy. Molten salts are a mixture of salts with a low melting point, typically below 500 degrees Celsius (932 degrees Fahrenheit). This allows them to be stored in a liquid state at high temperatures.

MSES systems typically consist of three main components:

• A heat source, such as concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, geothermal power plant, or waste heat from industrial processes.
• A storage tank containing the molten salts.
• A heat exchanger that transfers heat from the molten salts to a working fluid, such as water, to generate electricity.

Here’s how MSES works:

1. During periods of high energy production, the heat source heats the molten salts to a high temperature.
2. The hot molten salts are then stored in a well-insulated tank.
3. When there is a demand for electricity, the hot molten salts are pumped through a heat exchanger.
4. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the molten salts to the working fluid, which is typically water.
5. The heated working fluid is then used to generate steam, which drives a turbine to generate electricity.

MSES has several advantages over other thermal energy storage technologies:

• High energy density: Molten salts can store a large amount of thermal energy in a relatively small volume.
• Long-duration storage: MSES systems can store thermal energy for hours or even days, which makes them well-suited for applications such as load following and grid balancing.
• High efficiency: MSES systems can achieve round-trip efficiencies of up to 95%.
• Maturity: MSES is a relatively mature technology that has been demonstrated in a number of commercial applications.

However, MSES also has some disadvantages:

• High cost: MSES systems can be expensive to install and maintain.
• Corrosion: The molten salts can be corrosive to some materials, which can increase the cost of the system.
• Environmental impact: If the molten salts leak, they can contaminate the environment.

Overall, MSES is a promising technology for storing thermal energy from renewable sources such as concentrated solar power. As the cost of MSES systems continues to decline, they are expected to play an increasingly important role in the future of renewable energy.