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Applications & Efficiency
Section 5 of 5
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways: Mastering Thermal Energy Storage
Review the essential concepts and test your understanding of thermal energy storage systems
Your Progress
Section 5 of 5Essential Concepts in Thermal Energy Storage
🔥 Storage Mechanisms
- • Sensible: Temperature change (water, rocks, salts)
- • Latent: Phase change (PCMs like paraffin, salt hydrates)
- • Thermochemical: Chemical reactions (highest density)
⚡ System Types
- • Tank systems: Molten salt for CSP (most common)
- • Packed beds: Rocks/ceramics for high temperatures
- • PCM systems: Phase change materials for buildings
- • Thermochemical: Emerging technology for long duration
📊 Performance Metrics
- • Efficiency: 70-90% round-trip
- • Duration: 4-24 hours typical
- • Cost: $0.02-0.25/kWh (very competitive)
- • Scalability: MW to GW scale possible
🌍 Applications
- • CSP plants: 6+ GW deployed worldwide
- • Industrial heat: Process heating decarbonization
- • District heating: Urban thermal networks
- • Grid services: Renewable energy firming
🚀 Future Outlook
Thermal storage is poised for massive growth as renewable energy expands. With costs projected to fall 35% by 2030 and efficiency improvements ongoing, TES could provide 100-200 GW of storage capacity globally by decade's end, playing a crucial role in achieving net-zero emissions.
Test Your Knowledge
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