Key Advantages of Molten Salt Storage
- Cost-effectiveness: Thermal storage costs range from 15–25 EUR/kWh for molten salt, up to 33 times cheaper than lithium-ion batteries (833 EUR/kWh for electrical storage).
- High energy density: Storage capacity reaches 40–110 kWh/ton, with higher temperatures further reducing tank volume needs.
- Long lifespan: Operates for 20 years with 10,000+ cycles and minimal daily heat loss (1–5%).
- Scalability: Ideal for large-scale projects like concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, providing on-demand power without fossil backups.
Comparison with Other Storage Methods
| Feature | Molten Salt | Liquid Air (LAES) | Lithium-Ion Batteries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 15–25 EUR/kWh | Higher upfront costs | ~833 EUR/kWh |
| Efficiency | 90–99% thermal | Lower efficiency | 85–95% electrical |
| Applications | Industrial heat, CSP | Urban grid storage | Short-term grid, EVs |
| Lifespan | 20+ years | 20–30 years | 10–15 years |
| Environmental | Low emissions | Low impact | Mining concerns |
Limitations Relative to Other Systems
- Temperature constraints: Requires sustained 150–560°C operation, limiting integration with low-temperature systems.
- Application scope: Less suited for electrical storage compared to lithium-ion batteries or flow batteries.
- Startup time: While MSES itself doesn’t require preheating, molten salt batteries need 10+ hours to reach 270°C—a major drawback for mobile uses.
In contrast, liquid air energy storage (LAES) offers grid-scale potential but struggles with efficiency, while molten salt batteries remain niche due to high operating temperatures and long warm-up periods. For large-scale thermal storage, molten salt remains unmatched in cost and durability.
Optimal Use Cases
- CSP plants: Provides 24-hour steam generation using stored heat.
- Industrial heat: Supplies process heat for manufacturing or desalination.
- Hybrid systems: Pairing molten salt with LAES or batteries could balance long-duration storage and rapid discharge needs.
*General industry knowledge outside cited sources.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-molten-salt-energy-storage-compare-to-other-energy-storage-methods/
