Experimental Performance Evaluation of Thermal Energy Storage Systems for Integration with Solar Power Plants

Abstract

The intermittent nature of solar energy poses significant challenges to its reliable integration into large-scale power generation systems. Thermal energy storage systems offer a promising solution by enabling the capture, storage, and controlled release of solar thermal energy, thereby enhancing dispatchability and grid stability. This study presents an experimental performance evaluation of thermal energy storage systems designed for integration with solar power plants. Both sensible and latent heat storage configurations were developed and tested using representative storage media, including molten salts and phase change materials. Thermal charging and discharging behavior, heat transfer efficiency, and energy retention characteristics were systematically analyzed under controlled and field-simulated conditions. The experimental results were complemented by thermodynamic modeling to assess system efficiency and scalability. Findings demonstrate that optimized thermal energy storage configurations significantly improve solar plant capacity utilization and reduce energy losses during off-sunshine periods. The study provides valuable insights into the practical deployment of thermal energy storage technologies for sustainable solar power generation.