Project Info

Modeling Dynamic Thermal Energy Storage for Concentrating Solar Power

Concentrating solar power (CSP) will only become a viable large-scale renewable energy resource if it can incorporate cost-effective and efficient thermal energy storage that can sustain solar-driven power plant operation through periods of inadequate suns (at night or through cloudy days). The Jackson research group has been working on experiments and demonstrate high-temperature thermal energy storage with reactive and inert particles. We want to do some modeling studies to understand how high-temperature particle energy storage can function dynamically with various CSP power plant designs.

For more information:
[1] G. S. Jackson, L. Imponenti, K. J. Albrecht, D. C. Miller, and R. J. Braun, “Inert and Reactive Oxide Particles for High-Temperature Thermal Energy Capture and Storage for Concentrating Solar Power,” Journal of Solar Energy Engineering-Transactions of the Asme, vol. 141, no. 2, Apr 2019, Art no. 021016, doi: 10.1115/1.4042128.
[2] J. A. Almendros-Ibanez, M. Fernandez-Torrijos, M. Diaz-Heras, J. F. Belmonte, and C. Sobrino, “A review of solar thermal energy storage in beds of particles: Packed and fluidized beds,” Solar Energy, vol. 192, pp. 193-237, Nov 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.05.047.
[3] T. Esence, A. Bruch, J. F. Fourmigue, and B. Stutz, “A versatile one-dimensional numerical model for packed-bed heat storage systems,” Renewable Energy, vol. 133, pp. 190-204, Apr 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.10.012.

Grand Challenge: Make solar energy economical

Student Preparation

Qualifications

The student should have some experience in MATLAB and/or Python programming. Simulink experience would be helpful , but not necessary. Students should have taken or be taking an engineering heat transfer course (in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering) or a physics course on thermal energy transport.

Time Commitment

6-8 hours/week

Skills/Techniques Gained

The student will learn how to do dynamic thermal system modeling, learn about power plant modeling, and develop a deep understanding of thermal energy storage for solar energy. The student may get to participate in presenting results and in helping with experiments to validate models.

Mentoring Plan

I plan to meet with them up to once a week and to help them prepare presentations. I will also provide modeling expertise on modeling. Student will also interact with post-doctoral researcher and grad student.