SWOT analyses of high-temperature phase change materials for thermal energy storage

Abstract High-Temperature Latent heat thermal energy storage (HTLHTES) is gaining importance to store thermal energy at high temperature. Large storage capacity, compact system and near-isothermal operating conditions are some of the added advantages of LHTES over sensible heat thermal energy storage (SHTES). HTLHTES system uses phase change material (PCM) to store thermal energy. This research identifies the possible integration of HTLHTES in Concentrated Solar power (CSP) plant at high-temperature. Energy storage improves the dispatchability of CSP plants. At high temperature, thermal reliability and corrosion behaviour of PCM are significant challenges. A detailed analysis of state-of-art technology and recent advancement in the field of high-temperature PCM are presented while focusing on problems and its solutions. The report is summarised in strength-Weakness-Opportunities-threats (SWOT) table on parameters like thermophysical properties, material response and corrosion behaviour of PCM. SWOT results highlight the strength, weakness of PCM and opportunities and threats for future research of high-temperature PCM. At present, the authors of this study are investigating the phase change behaviour of Al-Si alloys through modelling and simulation. SWOT analysis of this alloy, when compared to other PCMs, is done to understand the applicability of the alloy as LHTES. In this study, the authors also proposed a thermophysical property-based newer approach to compare PCMs.