Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
7,000
140
6,000
120
5,000
100
4,000
80
3,000
60
2,000
40
1,000
20
0
0
0:00
6:00
12:00
18:00
0:00
APS load MWe
Solar output
Solar with TES
FIGURE 7.10
Arizona Public Service's load output profile from a parabolic trough compared with the solar
output with and without TES on a summer day.
dark. Additionally, two days of energy storage could mean that weekend
energy can be stored for use when industrial demand resumes on Mondays.
The typical cost of concentrated solar power (CSP) is estimated by the U.S.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, at about
$0.17/kWh. To compete with current fossil fuel prices, the cost of CSP must be
reduced to about $0.05/kWh. This emphasizes the need for continued research
and development of thermal solar power systems, particularly TES.
TESApplications
Practical applications of solar thermal energy storage include, but are not
limited to
• Space heating and cooling
• Domestic water heating
• Industrial and agricultural process heating
• Solar cooking
• Small power plants and water pumps
• Dish engine generators (buffer storage)
• Large concentrating solar power plants (typically 3 to 12 hours of
storage)
