A design study for regenerator-type heat storage in solar tower plants - Results and conclusions of the HOTSPOT project

Abstract Regenerator heat storage is a cost-effective solution to provide solar tower power plant with operational flexibility and load- following capability – a key factor for marketability. The recently completed project HOTSPOT addresses open design questions of this storage technology and reduces technical risks with respect to thermal design, fluid-dynamic and thermo-mechanical aspects. For the first time, design solutions based on packed beds have been looked at, and their specific technical risks have been systematically dealt with. The present paper reports on progress made and summarises some design recommendations.

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