Thermochemical Solar Collector and Storage; One Breakthrough Technology for Multiple Challenges

Project Information

TechSOLSTOR

Grant agreement ID: 101149582

DOI

10.3030/101149582

Project closed

EC signature date 4 April 2024

Start date 1 June 2024

End date 31 May 2026

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 230 774,40

Coordinated by

DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TechSOLSTOR (Thermochemical Solar Collector and Storage; One Breakthrough Technology for Multiple Challenges)

Reporting period: 2024-06-01 to 2026-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The project focuses on introducing an innovative approach to enhance solar energy systems by integrating solar collectors with energy storage technology. The goal is to address some of the existing challenges in energy storage, such as maintaining consistent material quality over time and ensuring even heat distribution. In addition to resolving these issues, the system aims to store solar energy more efficiently and at a lower cost, potentially giving solar thermal systems a new competitive advantage for various applications. At the core of this new design is a mechanism that captures and stores solar energy, enabling it to be released when needed through a controlled process. The project aims to establish a strong foundation of research in this area, working on the theoretical, design, and economic aspects of the technology. By developing and testing this advanced solar energy system, the project hopes to create a highly efficient solution that could be adapted for different temperature ranges and a wide array of future 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

This project includes both system-level and component-level analysis and design. First, the novel proposed dehydration reactor was designed and simulated, and thermal design optimization and CFD analysis were conducted to achieve the best performance for the dehydration of Ca(OH)2 in a parabolic trough collector, which also plays the role of the reactor. After validating the results, the designed component was integrated into a system-level analysis to evaluate the performance of the whole proposed system for thermochemical energy storage applications. The design cycle was integrated with a solar field and power generation units to provide a better insight into such integrated systems. Techno-economic and environmental analyses were also conducted, and promising results were achieved. In addition, proof of concept is considered through a laboratory test rig within this project.

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)

The results of the project are promising. From the reactor design point of view, the novel proposed reactor could work efficiently and overcome agglomeration, while also providing an efficient dehydration process for Ca(OH)2. Furthermore, the proposed system can offer a uniform temperature distribution, which is very beneficial for this type of reactor and can be considered beyond the state-of-the-art design.
Also, from the system-level and economic points of view, the proposed system reached around 90% round-trip thermal-to-thermal efficiency thanks to efficient and optimum thermal management and process heat integration in the cycle. In addition, when integrated with a power generation unit, it offers the lowest LCOE compared to latent heat and molten salt energy storage systems. The system also shows lower environmental impacts due to the use of renewable sources and the efficient design of the system.