Thermodynamics and economic performance comparison of three high-temperature hot rock cavern based energy storage concepts. (1st August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arabkoohsar, A.; Andresen, G.B.
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 132(2017)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2017-08-01
• Subjects: Energy storage -- Packed bed of rocks -- Rankin cycle -- Erickson cycle -- Thermodynamic analysis -- Economic performance; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.05.071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Employing a thermal energy storage (TES) as a medium for storing power in an energy storage system was recently proposed and analyzed in two different configurations. The first proposal is employing the TES as the boiler of a Rankin cycle based (RCB) energy storage plant. In this configuration, heat production along with power production may or may not be an objective (RCB1 and RCB2 ). The other proposal is employing the TES as the combustion chamber of an Erickson cycle for energy storage applications (ECB). In this work, a detailed energy, exergy and economic performance comparison between the three systems is accomplished, and the positive and negative features of each of them are addressed. All of the three systems are designed for a 100 MWp wind power in Denmark as the case study. Although it is demonstrated that the application of the ECB system is limited to locations with high heating demand, it outperforms both of the RCB systems due to its very fast response and also the high efficiency that it offers. The overall energy efficiencies of the RCB1, RCB2 and ECB systems are 85%, 32% and 80% while their exergy efficiencies are 47%, 58% and 58%, respectively. Highlights: The high temperature heat and power storage system is analyzed dynamically. Three possible configurations are considered in the simulations to be compared. Dynamic-realistic data and prices are used to model and compare the systems. Erickson cycle based system outperforms the Rankine cycle based systems techno-economically.