HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE FOR GRID STORAGE AND CONCENTRATED SOLAR PLANT ENHANCEMENT

摘要

Disclosed embodiments include grid-tied thermal energy storage (TES) systems, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems featuring grid-tied TES and methods of operating same. Grid-tied TES systems include a heat storage material, a heat transfer material in thermal communication with a source of concentrated solar flux and an electric heating element. Both the heat transfer material and the electric heating element are in thermal communication with the heat storage material. Both the heat transfer material and the electric heating element can be selectively used to provide alternate and complimentary means to store thermal energy in the heat storage material.