Fri, 07 June, 2024
Testing is underway for in the GeoSmart project with installations taking place at demonstrations sites in Turkey and Germany.
The EU-funded project, of which TWI is a consortium partner, has been developing energy storage innovations to optimise and improve the flexibility of geothermal plants.
Firstly, a phase change material (PCM) storage tank has been delivered to the Kilzidere 2 geothermal power plant in Turkey. This will allow the project team to assess the potential of PCMs as a potential solution to guarantee the normal functionality of geothermal power generation systems.
Following from this, a thermal energy storage system has also been installed at the Insheim geothermal power plant in Germany as part of the project’s aim of improving the performance of geothermal energy technologies.
Finding a stable heat storage medium that provides excellent heat transfer properties at high temperatures has been a challenge because of the corrosion behaviour of potential metal/metal-alloy materials at high operating temperatures.
With both systems now delivered and ready to begin service, the project team will be able to assess their performance in real-world settings.
This was made possible by through the collaborative efforts and cooperation of TWI Ltd alongside CEA, Naldeo, Zolru Enerji and SEGU.
The GeoSmart project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 818576.