Increasing fossil power plant flexibility by integrating molten-salt thermal storage

Increasing market penetration of renewable energy sources requires measures to stabilize the electric grid. This includes reducing generator output fluctuations as well as providing control reserve. The present study investigates the use of molten-salt storage systems in fossil-fired power plants by conducting a series of numerical process simulations. Two case studies are performed: First, an incinerator representing a heat-controlled facility with fluctuating output due to varying customer steam demand. Second, a small-size lignite-fired power plant for providing control reserve, representing a power-controlled facility.