New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates
Carlos Armenta-Déu | International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering | Vol 10, Issue 1 | pp. 26-32 | ISSN: 2581-5598
Abstract
This paper proposes a new method to store thermal energy for electricity generation in power plants. The system is based on heat exchange between the hot geological substrate and inorganic salt solution to store thermal energy under molten salt form. To this goal, we design an underground pipeline system that transports heat fluid carrier in solid form until reaching the geological substrate at the appropriate temperature for the phase change where heat transfer from the substrate to the fluid melts the salt solution. The proposed design saves space, investment and maintenance costs, and is compatible with modern geotechnical engineering techniques. The system is also compatible with low and high geothermal gradients. Operating temperatures are within the current range for depths between 1.6 km and 2.6 km, which are accessible using conventional drilling techniques. The selected geological substrate maintains molten salt in liquid phase for as long as necessary due to the geological environment, preserving the enthalpy level. A simulation runs for current heat storage system temperature for solar thermal power plants, proving the feasibility of the new design and the capacity of the geological substrate to thermally recharge the heat storage system within time limits. The system reveals as a practical solution to preserve thermal energy long enough to use when heat generation from conventional or renewable energy sources decays or lacks. The proposed methodology is feasible and reliable if we deal with massive energy storage where heat power generation compensates for investment in geological engineering. The system is modular and adaptive to variable working conditions. Besides, it becomes practical for intermittent thermal power generation and fluctuating energy demand.
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1. Muñoz M, Rovira A, Montes MJ. Thermodynamic cycles for solar thermal power plants: A review. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment . 2022;11(2):e420. 2. Reddy VS, Kaushik SC, Ranjan KR, Tyagi SK. State-of-the-art of solar thermal power plants: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2013;27:258–273. 3. Karellas S, Roumpedakis TC. Solar thermal power plants. In Solar Hydrogen Production. Academic Press. 2019:179–235. 4. Wang Z. Design of solar thermal power plants. Academic Press. 2019. 5. Schnatbaum L. Solar thermal power plants. The European Physical Journal Special Topics, 2009;176(1):127–140. 6. Winter CJ, Sizmann RL, Vant-Hull LL. (Eds.). Solar power plants: fundamentals, technology, systems, economics. Springer Science & Business Media. 2012. 7. Pelay U, Luo L, Fan Y, Stitou D, Rood M. Thermal energy storage systems for concentrated solar power plants. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;79:82–100. 8. Xu B, Li P, Chan C. Application of phase change materials for thermal energy storage in concentrated solar thermal power plants: a review to recent developments. Appl Energy. 2015;160:286–307. 9. Herrmann U, Kearney DW. Survey of thermal energy storage for parabolic trough power plants. J Sol Energy Eng. 2002;124(2):145–152. 10. Matos CR, Carneiro JF, Silva PP. Overview of large-scale underground energy storage technologies for integration of renewable energies and criteria for reservoir identification. J Energy Storage. 2019;21:241–258. 11. Crotogino F, Schneider GS, Evans DJ. Renewable energy storage in geological formations. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy. 2018;232(1):100–114. 12. Carneiro JF, Matos CR, Van Gessel S. Opportunities for large-scale energy storage in geological formations in mainland Portugal. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2019;99:201–211. 13. Sharan P, Kitz K, Wendt D, McTigue J, Zhu G. Using concentrating solar power to create a geological thermal energy reservoir for seasonal storage and flexible power plant operation. J Energy Resour Tech. 2021;143(1):010906. 14. Cooper-Density, Specific Heat and Thermal Conductivity vs. Temperature. The Engineering Toolbox. www.EngineeringToolbox.com [Accessed online: 02/06/2024] 15. Armenta-Déu C. Analysis of geological structure for the application of geotechnical engineering to optimize thermal extraction in geothermal wells. J Geol Geotech Eng. 2022;8(2):26–36. 16. Vidal Ruano C. Diseño del circuito de sales fundidas para una planta de generación eléctrica termosolar de concentración central. Proyecto Fin de carrera. Ingeniería Química. Universidad de Cádiz. 2017 Octubre 2016
How to cite this article
APA
Armenta-Déu, C. (2024). New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates. International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering, 10(1), 26-32.
MLA
Armenta-Déu, Carlos. “New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates.” International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, 2024, pp. 26-32.
Chicago
Carlos Armenta-Déu. “New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates.” International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering 10, no. 1 (2024): 26-32.
Vancouver
Armenta-Déu C. New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates. International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering. 2024;10(1):26-32.
BibTeX
@article{ArmentaDeuC2024,
author = {Carlos Armenta-Déu},
title = {New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates},
journal = {International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering},
year = {2024},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {26--32},
issn = {2581-5598},
url = {https://journalspub.com/publication/ijgge/article=9857}
}
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Carlos Armenta-Déu | International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering | Vol 10, Issue 1 | pp. 26-32 | ISSN: 2581-5598
Abstract
This paper proposes a new method to store thermal energy for electricity generation in power plants. The system is based on heat exchange between the hot geological substrate and inorganic salt solution to store thermal energy under molten salt form. To this goal, we design an underground pipeline system that transports heat fluid carrier in solid form until reaching the geological substrate at the appropriate temperature for the phase change where heat transfer from the substrate to the fluid melts the salt solution. The proposed design saves space, investment and maintenance costs, and is compatible with modern geotechnical engineering techniques. The system is also compatible with low and high geothermal gradients. Operating temperatures are within the current range for depths between 1.6 km and 2.6 km, which are accessible using conventional drilling techniques. The selected geological substrate maintains molten salt in liquid phase for as long as necessary due to the geological environment, preserving the enthalpy level. A simulation runs for current heat storage system temperature for solar thermal power plants, proving the feasibility of the new design and the capacity of the geological substrate to thermally recharge the heat storage system within time limits. The system reveals as a practical solution to preserve thermal energy long enough to use when heat generation from conventional or renewable energy sources decays or lacks. The proposed methodology is feasible and reliable if we deal with massive energy storage where heat power generation compensates for investment in geological engineering. The system is modular and adaptive to variable working conditions. Besides, it becomes practical for intermittent thermal power generation and fluctuating energy demand.
🔒 This is a subscription article
Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.
1. Muñoz M, Rovira A, Montes MJ. Thermodynamic cycles for solar thermal power plants: A review. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment . 2022;11(2):e420. 2. Reddy VS, Kaushik SC, Ranjan KR, Tyagi SK. State-of-the-art of solar thermal power plants: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2013;27:258–273. 3. Karellas S, Roumpedakis TC. Solar thermal power plants. In Solar Hydrogen Production. Academic Press. 2019:179–235. 4. Wang Z. Design of solar thermal power plants. Academic Press. 2019. 5. Schnatbaum L. Solar thermal power plants. The European Physical Journal Special Topics, 2009;176(1):127–140. 6. Winter CJ, Sizmann RL, Vant-Hull LL. (Eds.). Solar power plants: fundamentals, technology, systems, economics. Springer Science & Business Media. 2012. 7. Pelay U, Luo L, Fan Y, Stitou D, Rood M. Thermal energy storage systems for concentrated solar power plants. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;79:82–100. 8. Xu B, Li P, Chan C. Application of phase change materials for thermal energy storage in concentrated solar thermal power plants: a review to recent developments. Appl Energy. 2015;160:286–307. 9. Herrmann U, Kearney DW. Survey of thermal energy storage for parabolic trough power plants. J Sol Energy Eng. 2002;124(2):145–152. 10. Matos CR, Carneiro JF, Silva PP. Overview of large-scale underground energy storage technologies for integration of renewable energies and criteria for reservoir identification. J Energy Storage. 2019;21:241–258. 11. Crotogino F, Schneider GS, Evans DJ. Renewable energy storage in geological formations. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy. 2018;232(1):100–114. 12. Carneiro JF, Matos CR, Van Gessel S. Opportunities for large-scale energy storage in geological formations in mainland Portugal. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2019;99:201–211. 13. Sharan P, Kitz K, Wendt D, McTigue J, Zhu G. Using concentrating solar power to create a geological thermal energy reservoir for seasonal storage and flexible power plant operation. J Energy Resour Tech. 2021;143(1):010906. 14. Cooper-Density, Specific Heat and Thermal Conductivity vs. Temperature. The Engineering Toolbox. www.EngineeringToolbox.com [Accessed online: 02/06/2024] 15. Armenta-Déu C. Analysis of geological structure for the application of geotechnical engineering to optimize thermal extraction in geothermal wells. J Geol Geotech Eng. 2022;8(2):26–36. 16. Vidal Ruano C. Diseño del circuito de sales fundidas para una planta de generación eléctrica termosolar de concentración central. Proyecto Fin de carrera. Ingeniería Química. Universidad de Cádiz. 2017 Octubre 2016
How to cite this article
APA
Armenta-Déu, C. (2024). New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates. International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering, 10(1), 26-32.
MLA
Armenta-Déu, Carlos. “New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates.” International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, 2024, pp. 26-32.
Chicago
Carlos Armenta-Déu. “New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates.” International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering 10, no. 1 (2024): 26-32.
Vancouver
Armenta-Déu C. New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates. International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering. 2024;10(1):26-32.
BibTeX
@article{ArmentaDeuC2024,
author = {Carlos Armenta-Déu},
title = {New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates},
journal = {International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering},
year = {2024},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {26--32},
issn = {2581-5598},
url = {https://journalspub.com/publication/ijgge/article=9857}
}
Carlos Armenta-Déu | International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering | Vol 10, Issue 1 | pp. 26-32 | ISSN: 2581-5598
Abstract
This paper proposes a new method to store thermal energy for electricity generation in power plants. The system is based on heat exchange between the hot geological substrate and inorganic salt solution to store thermal energy under molten salt form. To this goal, we design an underground pipeline system that transports heat fluid carrier in solid form until reaching the geological substrate at the appropriate temperature for the phase change where heat transfer from the substrate to the fluid melts the salt solution. The proposed design saves space, investment and maintenance costs, and is compatible with modern geotechnical engineering techniques. The system is also compatible with low and high geothermal gradients. Operating temperatures are within the current range for depths between 1.6 km and 2.6 km, which are accessible using conventional drilling techniques. The selected geological substrate maintains molten salt in liquid phase for as long as necessary due to the geological environment, preserving the enthalpy level. A simulation runs for current heat storage system temperature for solar thermal power plants, proving the feasibility of the new design and the capacity of the geological substrate to thermally recharge the heat storage system within time limits. The system reveals as a practical solution to preserve thermal energy long enough to use when heat generation from conventional or renewable energy sources decays or lacks. The proposed methodology is feasible and reliable if we deal with massive energy storage where heat power generation compensates for investment in geological engineering. The system is modular and adaptive to variable working conditions. Besides, it becomes practical for intermittent thermal power generation and fluctuating energy demand.
🔒 This is a subscription article
Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.
1. Muñoz M, Rovira A, Montes MJ. Thermodynamic cycles for solar thermal power plants: A review. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment . 2022;11(2):e420. 2. Reddy VS, Kaushik SC, Ranjan KR, Tyagi SK. State-of-the-art of solar thermal power plants: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2013;27:258–273. 3. Karellas S, Roumpedakis TC. Solar thermal power plants. In Solar Hydrogen Production. Academic Press. 2019:179–235. 4. Wang Z. Design of solar thermal power plants. Academic Press. 2019. 5. Schnatbaum L. Solar thermal power plants. The European Physical Journal Special Topics, 2009;176(1):127–140. 6. Winter CJ, Sizmann RL, Vant-Hull LL. (Eds.). Solar power plants: fundamentals, technology, systems, economics. Springer Science & Business Media. 2012. 7. Pelay U, Luo L, Fan Y, Stitou D, Rood M. Thermal energy storage systems for concentrated solar power plants. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;79:82–100. 8. Xu B, Li P, Chan C. Application of phase change materials for thermal energy storage in concentrated solar thermal power plants: a review to recent developments. Appl Energy. 2015;160:286–307. 9. Herrmann U, Kearney DW. Survey of thermal energy storage for parabolic trough power plants. J Sol Energy Eng. 2002;124(2):145–152. 10. Matos CR, Carneiro JF, Silva PP. Overview of large-scale underground energy storage technologies for integration of renewable energies and criteria for reservoir identification. J Energy Storage. 2019;21:241–258. 11. Crotogino F, Schneider GS, Evans DJ. Renewable energy storage in geological formations. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy. 2018;232(1):100–114. 12. Carneiro JF, Matos CR, Van Gessel S. Opportunities for large-scale energy storage in geological formations in mainland Portugal. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2019;99:201–211. 13. Sharan P, Kitz K, Wendt D, McTigue J, Zhu G. Using concentrating solar power to create a geological thermal energy reservoir for seasonal storage and flexible power plant operation. J Energy Resour Tech. 2021;143(1):010906. 14. Cooper-Density, Specific Heat and Thermal Conductivity vs. Temperature. The Engineering Toolbox. www.EngineeringToolbox.com [Accessed online: 02/06/2024] 15. Armenta-Déu C. Analysis of geological structure for the application of geotechnical engineering to optimize thermal extraction in geothermal wells. J Geol Geotech Eng. 2022;8(2):26–36. 16. Vidal Ruano C. Diseño del circuito de sales fundidas para una planta de generación eléctrica termosolar de concentración central. Proyecto Fin de carrera. Ingeniería Química. Universidad de Cádiz. 2017 Octubre 2016
How to cite this article
APA
Armenta-Déu, C. (2024). New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates. International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering, 10(1), 26-32.
MLA
Armenta-Déu, Carlos. “New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates.” International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, 2024, pp. 26-32.
Chicago
Carlos Armenta-Déu. “New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates.” International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering 10, no. 1 (2024): 26-32.
Vancouver
Armenta-Déu C. New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates. International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering. 2024;10(1):26-32.
BibTeX
@article{ArmentaDeuC2024,
author = {Carlos Armenta-Déu},
title = {New Geotechnical Engineering Design for Underground Heat Storage in Geological Substrates},
journal = {International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering},
year = {2024},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {26--32},
issn = {2581-5598},
url = {https://journalspub.com/publication/ijgge/article=9857}
}
