Solar thermal power generation is a technology that uses solar energy to convert light energy into heat energy and then use heat energy to produce electricity. Solar thermal power generation (CSP) technology combined with thermal energy storage (TES) is one of the most promising power generation technologies in the future renewable energy system, which can efficiently use resource-rich but intermittent solar energy to provide stable, dispatchable and low-cost power.

At present, the most advanced and most representative second-generation CSP power station is a commercial tower power station equipped with a direct TES system of molten nitrate heat storage.

The next generation of CSP plants may be based on new molten salt heat storage materials, with more than 50% thermoelectric conversion efficiency and lower capital expenditures.

In recent years, countries and regions including the United States, Australia, Europe and Asia are developing next-generation CSP technologies with higher power generation efficiency and lower power generation costs.

The heat storage/conduction technologies available for next-generation CSP power plants (temperatures above 565 ° C) mainly include the following:

New molten salts are used as heat storage/conduction materials, such as molten carbonate and chlorine salts, which are mainly used as research objects due to their low cost.

Using solid particles as heat storage/conduction materials, this technology has been demonstrated in the United States, Europe and China;

Using gases (such as helium) for heat conduction and other materials (such as solid materials, PCM) for indirect heat storage, the researchers plan to demonstrate in the United States, Europe and China;

Using liquid metal as a heat conductor and indirectly storing heat using other materials such as liquid metal itself, solid materials or PCM, the technology was demonstrated in Australia and Europe.

The main application form of solar power generation

The basic way of solar energy utilization can be divided into three categories: photothermal utilization, photoelectric conversion and photochemical conversion. At present, solar photovoltaic power generation system is the main application in our country.