Flexible Upcycled Waste Material based Sensible Thermal Energy Storage for CSP

Project Information

FLUWS

Grant agreement ID: 101147257

DOI

10.3030/101147257

EC signature date 8 April 2024

Start date 1 June 2024

End date 31 May 2027

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 2 241 603,75

EU contribution

€ 2 241 603,75

Coordinated by

KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FLUWS (Flexible Upcycled Waste Material based Sensible Thermal Energy Storage for CSP)

Reporting period: 2024-06-01 to 2025-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

FLUWS aims to develop and validate a more flexible, reliable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective thermal energy storage (TES) system futureproofed for next generation concentrating solar power (CSP) plants operating at higher temperatures and hybridized with PV, two of the main paths for reaching cost-efficiency of CSP in the near future according to the most recent CSP SET plan. Specifically, FLUWS validates up to TRL 5 a novel TES concept that ensures elevated thermal efficiency with minimum environmental impact thanks to on the one hand the upcycling of waste and residual materials from the ceramic industry and the use of air as heat transfer fluid (HTF), and on the other thanks to building on previous consortium know-how in the development of new cost-effective radial packed-bed TES and materials for high temperature applications.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The main part of the work and achievements are summarized in the points below:
- The waste material was fully characterized as presented in D2.1. Several bricks have been produced considering different mixtures of waste material (also pre-treated differently), different shaping both in channel numbers and thickness. All produced bricks have been tested to characterize the thermo-mechanical properties of the full material. A final configuration of the bricks to be manufactured for the prototype has been defined. This include at least 50% of waste material.
- Several CFD studies have been performed to determine both the optimal brick shaping considering different specific channel's geometries and arrangements. Similarly, thanks to CFD and FEM the best design for the TES prototype supporting the attainment of all targeted KPIs has been identified. Detailed executive drawings have been issued.
- The rig engineering and needs for its adaptation have bene fully defined. The testing strategy to be followed during the experimental campaign has been defined.
- Several layouts for FLUWS upscaling and replication have been defined (WP5). Preliminary techno-economic modelling suggest that LCOE and LCOS within targets and at cost-competitive ranges are attainable.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

As of M18, the main targets of the project are confirmed and the composition, needed pretreatment and extrusion process for the bricks manufacturing have been defined. The bricks are expected to contain 50% of waste material. The full testing campaign is planned and the work is progressing in this direction.