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Si us plau utilitzeu sempre aquest identificador per citar o enllaçar aquest document: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/214602
Optimal Selection, Characterization, and Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Thermal Energy Storage in Concentrating Solar Power: A Circular Economy Approach
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[eng] The world's energy dilemma, balancing supply and demand, finds a potential solution in energy storage technologies. Energy storage systems store excess energy during low-demand periods for later use. This approach enhances grid stability, integrates renewable sources like solar and wind power cost-effectively, and reduces reliance on fossil fuel-based thermal power plants, thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
One prominent and cost-effective technology is Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems integrated into Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants. These plants utilize molten salts both as TES material and Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). By storing solar heat and then generating electricity through a heat exchanger, it is possible to enable continuous electricity production, mitigating the "duck effect." To advance this technology and increase its competitiveness, the use of sustainable low-cost materials has been proposed to work as TES material in solar tower configurations, aiming to achieve a higher operating temperature. This translates into higher efficiency in converting heat to electricity, lower cost and environmental impact, and better compatibility with the structure.
The main objective of this thesis is to provide a proven alternative material for the TES tanks in the next generation of CSP plants. With a selection of sustainable materials, testing and characterization of their properties and stability, and an environmental evaluation and comparison with conventional technology through a newly proposed
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methodology to complete a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of alternative materials, a comprehensive evaluation of several sustainable materials from different origins will be completed.
Two concepts will be evaluated throughout the thesis work: one involves the integration of sustainable materials with conventional technology to enhance stability and reduce compatibility issues, while the other presents insight into the new strategy of using solid particle materials for TES without molten salts. Additionally, several challenges faced during the testing of the materials have led the study to the need for a specific device to conduct thermal cycles with controlled heating and cooling ramps. This is addressed in the last chapter of the thesis, where a self-developed device capable of automatically completing thermal cycles of materials is presented.
Throughout all tests and characterizations, a complete validation of alternative sustainable materials from different origins has been assessed and presented as candidates for TES applications in various technologies. The incorporation of these materials will help increase competitiveness by reducing the environmental impact and cost of electricity production.
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MAJÓ ROBLES, Marc. Optimal Selection, Characterization, and Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Thermal Energy Storage in Concentrating Solar Power: A Circular Economy Approach. [consulta: 26 de novembre de 2025]. [Disponible a: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/214602]