The economic value of storage in renewable power systems - the case of thermal energy storage in concentrating solar plants

摘要

In this article we analyze the value of thermal energy storages in concentrated solar plants depending on the electricity generation mix. To determine the value from a system integrated view we model the whole electricty generation market of the Iberian Peninsula. Key ufb01ndings for thermal energy storage units in concentrated solar plants include an increasing value in electricity systems with higher shares of ufb02uctuating renewable generation and a potentially signiufb01cant role in a transformation to a primarily renewable based electricity system. Due to the relatively high investment costs concentrated solar power plants with or without thermal energy storages are not cost eufb03cient in todays electricity markets. However, expected cost reductions due to learning curve eufb00ects and higher ufb02uctuating renewable generation may lead to a comparative cost advantage of concentrated solar power plants with thermal energy storages compared to other renewable technologies.