Pilot plant design of a Cascaded PCM storage system

<p><span>The Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) industry needs cost-effective, high-temperature thermal storage to remain competitive in today’s renewable market. This document outlines the design of a pilot plant intended to validate the Cascade Phase Change Material (CPCM) configuration for CST applications. The plant key components include a molten salt tank, a pump, an electric heater, two modular PCM test modules, and an air cooler, using molten salts as the heat transfer fluid (HTF). Operating at up to 600 °C, the pilot plant replicates real CST conditions and allows flexible testing configurations.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>The cascade PCM design enhances heat absorption and release when latent storage media is coupled with a sensible HTF. Metal wools are incorporated as heat transfer enhancers within the PCM modules, improving heat flow. The electrified PCM modules provide hybrid capabilities, allowing the system to store low-cost electricity from the grid and generate energy on demand. Currently under construction, this pilot plant aims to validate the cascade PCM approach as a reliable, high-performance thermal storage solution, supporting the CST, and in particular de Concentrating Solar Power plants shift toward efficient, supercritical CO</span><span>₂</span><span>- compatible storage systems capable of achieving stable 600 °C operation without salt degradation.</span> </p>