High temperature storage for CSP hybrid gas turbine: Test rig dynamic analysis and experimental validation

It has long been recognized that the possibility for the integration of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) is one of the key advantages of CSP over other forms of renewable energy technology. In this work, a high temperature ceramic storage test rig for gas turbine energy systems was presented with its innovative layout, which avoids the use of hot valves. Such experimental plant storage, developed by the University of Genoa, Italy, can be run with compressed air and it is ready for connection with the modified microturbine Turbec T100 onsite. The test rig represents a scaled-down version of a larger system designed for a hybridized solar gas turbine, where the solar input is emulated by an electrical heater. Hybridized solar gas turbine cycles are attractive because of their high efficiency, potentially equal to combined cycle efficiency, and dispatchable power capability. The layout proposed here does not involve any hot air valve and does include a ceramic thermal storage. The plant dynamic model was developed using the original TRANSEO simulation tool. This paper presents the test rig experimental results and validation of dynamic model: eventually, design recommendations are drawn to improve the flexibility and the time response of such kind of CSP plants.