Comparing the cost of molten salt storage to other thermal energy storage methods involves considering several factors, including the capital costs per unit of energy stored and the operational efficiency.
Molten Salt Storage
- Cost: The cost of molten salt storage is generally reported to be between €25 and €70 per kWh thermal energy stored, with some estimates as low as €15 per kWh thermal in optimal scenarios.
- Efficiency: The storage efficiency of molten salt systems is high, ranging from 90% to 99%.
- Operating Conditions: Molten salt storage operates at temperatures between 150°C and 560°C, making it suitable for high-temperature applications like concentrated solar power (CSP) plants.
Other Thermal Energy Storage Methods
- Phase Change Materials (PCMs): These materials change phase (e.g., from solid to liquid) as they absorb or release energy. While they are versatile, their costs can vary widely depending on the materials used and are often higher than molten salts for large-scale applications.
- Sensible Heat Storage: This method involves heating a medium (like water or rocks) to store energy. While it’s simpler and potentially less expensive than molten salts in some contexts, its efficiency and cost-effectiveness can be lower for high-temperature or long-duration applications.
- Ice Storage: Used primarily for cooling, ice storage involves freezing water to store energy. It’s often more applicable to building cooling systems rather than large-scale energy storage like molten salts.
Cost Comparison
In general, molten salt storage is highlighted for its cost-effectiveness, especially when compared to electric storage methods like lithium-ion batteries. However, direct cost comparisons with other thermal methods show that molten salt can be competitive due to its efficiency and scalability. For example, another thermal energy storage cost model estimates costs around 13.5 cents per kWh thermal for a different system, which is a more operational cost rather than a capital cost. NREL estimates suggest costs in the range of $60/kWth for thermal energy storage tanks, which is somewhat comparable but less directly related to the per kWh cost.
In summary, molten salt storage is highly competitive in the thermal energy storage market, particularly for large-scale applications where it offers both low costs and high efficiency. Other methods may have niche advantages or specific applications, but molten salts are generally favored for high-temperature and long-duration storage.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-cost-of-molten-salt-storage-compare-to-other-thermal-energy-storage-methods/
