Terrajoule Modular Distributed CSP with Storage System using Water/Steam Phase Change for Energy Storage and Generation

PROJECT SUMMARY: The purpose of the proposed Phase I R & amp;D project is to perform engineering designs and analyses for three closely-related system improvements that can be implemented in a Phase II demonstration of a modular Distributed CSP with Storage system at the 100kW scale with 6 to 14 hours of Thermal Electric Storage (TES), using water/steam phase change for energy storage and generation. This system will exceed the SunShot 2020 cost and performance goals by 2017. This first-of-its-kind, patent-pending design fills a void in current Distributed CSP with Storage technology while complementing other DOE projects in this area. The project will leverage Terrajoules developments and experience with its first generation Distributed CSP with Storage technology. During the Phase II development, an existing first generation system will be upgraded with the second generation developments, and will serve as a robust test bed to characterize the performance of the Phase II innovations. The project will quantify the operational and cost benefits of the technology for future widespread commercial application in the USA and export markets. Terrajoule will meet these goals by using components that can be manufactured in volume by existing USA vendors using existing equipment and processes. Further, successful implementation of this technology will yield several specific and measurable benefits including reducing or deferring grid transmission and distribution investments by reducing energy demand from the grid, reducing energy costs, and decreasing carbon emissions. PROJECT OBJECTIVES: 1. Develop a heliostat system design optimized for heliostat fields in the range of 500 m2 to 2,000 m2, that will cost less than $75/m2 in volume production. 2. Develop a receiver and support tower that directly produces steam at up to 150 bar absolute pressure, and that will cost less than $23/m2 in volume production. 3. Develop Generation 2 High Pressure (HP) and Low Pressure (LP) engine modules based on the Generation 1 engine modules, with innovations including reduction of condensation on admission, such that the overall thermal efficiency of the Distributed CSP with Storage system exceeds 38%, including a full 24-hour energy storage charge/discharge cycle. 4. Integrate the heliostats, tower, receiver, and engine modules into an existing Generation 1 system to demonstrate Distributed CSP with Storage operation at 100 kW with 6 to 14 hours of storage at rated output. PROJECT BENEFITS: The Generation 2 Terrajoule system will launch Distributed CSP with Storage as a game-changing new segment of electric power generation in the United States. The successful completion of this project will revolutionize Distributed CSP with Storage and provide the nation with the long sought after combination of low cost, long system life without degradation, lack of toxicity and materials availability issues, distributed scale, rapid response to changes in demand, high efficiency under widely variable loads, and storage capacity from hours to days, all manufactured in the USA. The Generation 2 Terrajoule technology, enabled by the SBIR project, will operate both standalone and grid-connected to allow large amounts of power to be dispatched in seconds when needed, and also where needed. TEAM Key areas of responsibility for the technical team members include: Terrajoule Ressponsibility: Develop, characterize, and build the key subsystems for the prototype systems. Roush Industries: CFD two-phase fluid simulation and material supply chain research. Electricore Responsibility: Project management and industrial partner liaison for Phase II.