High‐Temperature Latent‐Heat Energy Storage Concept Based on Thermoelectronic Energy Conversion

Energy storage is particularly essential for renewable energy sources. Here we present the concept of high-temperature latent-heat storage coupled with thermoelectronic energy conversion. We analyze this concept and its potential for storing large quantities of energy for several days. We investigate the efficiency of electricity generation and storage by means of a single thermoelectronic energy converter and a bottoming cycle with a steam turbine. For storage temperatures above 1400 °C and large amounts of stored energies (>100 MWh), the maximum energy conversion efficiencies of such systems are found to be high. Thus the proposed systems are attractive storage solutions for excessive heat storage and heat-on-demand delivery of large-scale thermal solar power plants.