Jyestha Choudhary
Class of 2023Kolkata, West Bengal
About
Hello! My name is Jyestha Choudhary and Im from Kolkata, India. Im so excited to be a part of the polygence research program. A nature lover at heart, I find it just appropriate that my project is based on sustainable energies and how we can better deploy them in our daily lives. I cannot wait to finish my project and learn so much more about the field Im interested in!Projects
- "Solar Thermal Energy Storage: Techno-economic Review and Assessment" with mentor Ahmed (Nov. 25, 2023)
Project Portfolio
Solar Thermal Energy Storage: Techno-economic Review and Assessment
Started July 26, 2023
Abstract or project description
Concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) systems are rising and getting attention as alternative power sources against conventional fossil fuels (such as crude oil and natural gas). CSP systems are a viable option for meeting energy demands, closing the electricity supply-demand gaps, reducing dependence on oil imports, and avoiding GHG emissions, and they represent a sustainable energy source with huge potential for solar radiation-rich countries. Globally, the CSP capacity has increased more than tenfold since 2004, with an average annual growth rate of more than 32% between 2006 and 2014, and stood at 6.4 GW in 2020. CSP systems utilize hundreds to thousands of mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver, which collects and transfers the solar energy to a heat transfer fluid (HTF) that can be used to supply heat for end-use applications. CSP plants generate electricity through conventional steam turbines, but they may be used in industrial heating, water desalination, synthetic fuel production, enhanced oil recovery, and refineries. CSP technology has four main designs classified by how they collect solar energy. They include line focus systems such as a Parabolic Trough (PT) and Fresnel Reflector (FR), and point focus systems such as a Solar Power Tower (SPT) and Solar Dish (SD). CSP technologies require high DNI to work and are therefore an interesting option for installation in sunbelt regions with reliably clear skies and low aerosol optical depths. The major added value of CSP systems is the ability to store energy in the form of heat using high-heat capacity storage media (such as thermal oils and molten salts). This thermal energy storage (TES) system can operate in cloudy conditions or at night times. The main aim of this study is to review and analyze the utilization of solar TES systems against conventional fossil fuel resources such as crude oil and natural gas. The study approaches include performing a techno-economic assessment and analysis. The analysis will be conducted via software simulations, for example, the System Advisor Model platform (SAM) developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and SANDIA Labs.