Comprehensive review of dynamical simulation models of packed-bed systems for thermal energy storage applications in renewable power production.

Abstract

The need for large-scale energy storage in the context of renewable electricity production worldwide is evident. Among the various energy storage methods, thermal energy storage stands out. It is independent of geographical location, allows high storage capacities, does not require scarce materials, and is cheaper than its direct competitors. Currently, several technologies are being intensively developed. In some of them, packed-bed systems play a central role: a heat transfer fluid heats up or releases heat from a porous solid that acts as a thermal energy reservoir. This work compiles their application to concepts such as concentrated solar power, pumped thermal energy storage, and compressed or liquid air energy storage. Different physical models with diverse refinement degrees and the corresponding computational schemes are comprehensively presented. Comparison with previous experimental works includes gas or liquid heat transfer fluids, sensible or latent heat transfers, and a wide range of temperature levels. It is shown that the continuous 1D solid phase model solved with an implicit Euler method provides satisfactory results with a reasonable computing time for various systems. The influence of time step and spatial mesh is surveyed, as well as that of pressure drops. Efficiencies and stored energies are calculated for some particular cases, and sensitivity analysis is presented, including parameters such as fluid velocity in discharge and storage time. Concerning the latter, discharge efficiencies for long-time storage (between 10 and 15 h) are fairly good, between 0.39 and 0.20.