In-depth review of CaCO3/CaO TCES system with the perspective of cyclic stability, reactors and its integration with CSPs

Abstract

A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant integrated with CaCO₃/CaO thermochemical energy storage (TCES) system is capable of producing dispatchable renewable electricity. However, the integration process is complex and needs more study to be upgraded to a more sophisticated and advanced level. Besides, the agglomeration of powder particles still challenges the CaCO₃/CaO reaction pair because of sintering. Therefore, the current study aims to provide a detailed review of the CaCO₃/CaO TCES system. It addresses the challenges related to material properties, dopants, multi-cycle use of materials, and their effect on the reaction kinetics. In addition, this review also focuses on state-of-the-art CSP technologies, TCES system integration schemes with CSP, reactors for commercial use, and CO₂ capture systems. At the end of the literature review, the CaCO₃/CaO TCES system has been compared with other TES systems and solar power plants based on capital cost and levelized cost of energy (LCOE), with critical findings corresponding to associated problems within the system and its future.