Model of the impact of use of thermal energy storage on operation of a nuclear power plant Rankine cycle

2019 ◽  
Vol 181 ◽  
pp. 36-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fletcher Carlson ◽  
Jane H. Davidson ◽  
Nam Tran ◽  
Andreas Stein
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
The Impact

On the Use of Thermal Energy Storage for Flexible Baseload Power Plants: Thermodynamic Analysis of Options for a Nuclear Rankine Cycle

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fletcher Carlson ◽  
Jane H. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
Capacity Factor ◽  
Primary Cycle

Abstract The intermittency of wind and solar energy can disrupt the dynamic balance utilities must maintain to meet fluctuating demand. This work examines the use of thermal energy storage (TES) to increase the operational flexibility of a baseload power plant and thus incentivize renewable energy and decarbonize the grid. A first and second law thermodynamic model of a nuclear power plant establishes the impacts of TES on the capacity factor and thermal efficiency of the plant. Four storage options, which are distinguished by the location within the cycle where steam is diverted for charging and whether discharge of the TES is via the primary or a secondary Rankine cycle, are considered. TES is compared to steam bypass, which is an alternative to provide baseload flexibility. TES is significantly better than steam bypass. The storage option with the greatest thermodynamic benefit is charged by diverting superheated steam at the outlet of the moisture separator/reheater (MSR) to the TES. The TES is discharged for peaking power through an optimized secondary cycle. TES increases the capacity factor as much as 15% compared to steam bypass at representative charging mass flowrates. The storage option that diverts steam from the steam generator to charge the TES and discharges the TES to the primary cycle extends the discharge power to a lower range and does not require a secondary cycle. In this case, the capacity factor and efficiency are as much as 8% greater than that of steam bypass.

Multiscale Modeling of Power Plant Performance Enhancement Utilizing Asynchronous Cooling With Thermal Energy Storage

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Gagnon ◽  
Dre Helmns ◽  
Van P. Carey
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Melt Temperature ◽  
Electricity Cost ◽  
Extraction Period

Abstract This study links a model of thermal energy storage (TES) performance to a subsystem model with heat exchangers that cool down the storage at night; this cool storage is used to precool the air flow for a power plant air-cooled condenser during peak day temperatures. The subsystem model is also computationally linked to a model of Rankine cycle power plant performance to predict additional power the plant could generate due to the additional cooling. The model was used to explore the effects of varying phase change material (PCM) melt temperature and the energy input and rejection control settings with the goal of maximizing efficiency for a 50 MW power plant operating in the desert regions of Nevada for an average summer day. The results suggest that the kWh output of the modeled plant can be increased by up to 3.25% during the heat input/cold extraction period, and a cost analysis estimates that the TES system has the potential to provide additional revenue of up to $686,000 per year, depending on electricity cost and parameter choices.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document