Whereas materials developments and testing leading to the optimal design of the storage solutions envisaged in the project have been achieved along Reporting Periods 1 and 2, the works developed in Reporting Period 3 entailed the construction and testing of theThermocline demonstrator, together with the technical-economic assessment of both Concrete Module and Thermocline solutions.
In view of the delays suffered in the construction process – the need for a demonstrator relocation and redesign as a “stand-alone” infrastructure and the severe procurement and supply disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic – the project failed to present, at this stage, due testing experience enabling a full-fledged exploitation of results.
Notwithstanding, the technical-economic assessment enabled already a due assessment of both storage solutions, concluding for the need of further specific research fulfilling the observed potential for LCOE cost reductions.
Material development activities had a strong laboratorial component, namely at high performance concrete, molten salt and filler material levels, including experimental test of their compatibility under the prescribed operating conditions.
Developments at Design, Sensoring and Monitoring level included setting up numerical models for optimal designs for Thermocline and Concrete module configurations, embedded sensor development and system monitoring.
The preparation of the EMSP facilities for the construction and testing of the Thermocline prototype entailed the development and implementation of construction procedures, commissioning procedures, and the development of due control procedures for the development of specific testing following the requirements of KPI assessment.
The conclusive procurement and construction experience gathered along the final Reporting Period enabled, moreover, a technical-economic assessment of the storage solutions developed in the project.
A commercialization roadmap entails, at this point, further R&D activities aiming at improved competitiveness of the NEWSOL TES concepts.
In spite of LCOE reductions paving the way for an higher TRL 7 not being achieved, several results present the potential for immediate exploitation, e.g.:
• High Thermal Performance concrete and Insulating concrete products;
• Fiber Optic Sensors to be embedded in different materials (concrete, molten salts) to monitor high temperatures and corrosive environments.
The dissemination plan considered dissemination trough peer-to-peer information (communications in congresses and publications in peer reviewed journals) and participation in relevant standardization activities (IEC TC 117 - Solar thermal electric plants). Activities related to ethics in the project have been achieved after NEC and EPQ Requirements.
