The Value of Concentrating Solar Power and Thermal Energy Storage (2010)

This is a technical paper written by the National Renewable Laboratory, a division of the US Department of Energy. The report looks at the value added by thermal energy storage to concentrating solar power in the southwestern United States. The analysis by the authors shows that thermal energy storage does add value to concentrated solar power in a number of ways. First, thermal energy storage allows a larger amount of thermal energy from a concentrated solar plant’s field to be used. Second, by giving the plant more room to allow a bigger solar field. And finally, by encouraging concentrated solar power generation to be moved to times with higher energy prices. 

Author: Ramteen Sioshansi, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and Paul Denholm, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Golden, Colorado

Date of Publication: February 2010

Pages: 32

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