Thermal/Molten-Salt Storage is a method of energy storage where thermal energy is captured by heating molten salt and stored for later use. The heated salt can be used to generate power through steam turbines or provide process heat directly.
It addresses the intermittency issues of solar power and other renewable sources by storing excess thermal energy during peak production times for use when generation is low. This makes solar power more dispatchable and reliable.
Nitrate salts, which are inexpensive and have high thermal capacity, are heated to very high temperatures (typically around 500°C) in a thermal storage system. This heated salt is then stored in insulated tanks until needed. When required, the hot salt is passed through a heat exchanger where it transfers its thermal energy to water, producing steam that drives a turbine to generate electricity or directly provides process heat.
The manufacturing process involves sourcing and refining nitrate salts, constructing insulated storage tanks, and setting up heat exchangers and steam turbines or direct heating systems.
Construction begins with site preparation, followed by the installation of thermal storage tanks, heat transfer systems, and power generation components. The system is then commissioned for testing before full operation can commence.
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