Latent heat storage above 120°C for applications in the industrial process heat sector and solar power generation

This paper is focussed on thermal storage technologies using phase change materials (PCMs) in the temperature range of 120–300°C for solar thermal power generation and high temperature process heat. As the state‐of‐the‐art reference system a steam accumulator is described, which typically has a volume‐specific thermal energy density of 20–30 kWh m−3. Regarding efficiency, a fundamental demand on thermal storage is the minimization of temperature differences between working fluid and storage medium. This requires isothermal storage systems for processes using water/steam. An obvious solution is, therefore, the application of PCMs.