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Progress in thermochemical energy storage for concentrated solar power: A review
Author(s) -
Liu Dai,
XinFeng Long,
Bo Lou,
Siquan Zhou,
Yan Xu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.4183
Subject(s) - energy storage , thermal energy storage , process engineering , renewable energy , solar energy , concentrated solar power , thermal energy , environmental science , waste management , engineering , thermodynamics , electrical engineering , power (physics) , physics
Summary Energy plays an important role in a fast‐paced modern society. With the depletion of fossil energy, effective utilization of solar energy is getting increasingly urgent. Thermal energy storage is an inevitable choice for effective utilization of renewable energy sources. As one of the most promising renewable energy sources, solar energy is inexhaustible. But it has some shortcomings such as instability and intermittency, affected by time, climate, and geographical location. Thermal energy storage technology, which can effectively reduce the cost of concentrated solar power generation, plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between energy supply and demand. In addition, thermal energy storage subsystem can improve performance and reliability of the whole energy system. According to different principles, thermal storage technology is generally classified as sensible heat storage, latent heat storage, and thermochemical energy storage. Most solar thermal power generation systems, currently demonstrated and operated in the world, adopt the method of sensible thermal energy storage. In contrast, thermochemical energy storage is a relatively new concept, which is still in the stage of basic test and verification. Thermochemical energy storage technology stores and releases energy through endothermic and exothermic reversible reactions. A closed system with separated reactants and products, in theory, can store energy indefinitely. The main thermochemical energy storage systems include redox system, metal hydride system, carbonate decomposition system, ammonia decomposition system, methane reforming system, and inorganic hydroxide system.