The modernization, efficiency, and decarbonization of the energy supply systems are among the new challenges to be faced in the coming decades to achieve the targets and objectives dictated by European strategic policies. Despite the countless benefits related to renewable energy sources (RES) integration, this brings key challenges to the power system, such as the risk of imbalance between energy generation and demand, sudden changes in flows in transmission lines with a need for expensive and time-consuming upgrades, and the withdrawal of conventional generation systems with consequent demands for new solutions and innovation to support grid services. A potential solution to limit the huge intermittence and fluctuation in power generation from RES is Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology integrated with thermal energy storage. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential benefits related to the use of CSP technology by presenting innovative industrial solutions developed in the Italian SOLARGRID Project, namely the hybridization of CSP–PV systems and the solar thermo-electric system developed by MAGALDI, the parabolic trough collector of Eni, and the new linear Fresnel reflector configuration of IDEA S.r.l. These plant and component solutions are developed for improving the technical performance of CSP technology and reducing the levelized cost of electricity, thereby fostering an effective and massive deployment and encouraging the creation of new business models.

For each solar technology the dispatchable CSP plant scheme that maximizes the solar to electrical energy conversion and minimizes the costs associated to such transformation is searched. In recent years double tank TES systems are evolving towards more simple configurations of a single tank [1], [2], [3], also known as thermocline tank TES systems and, even going beyond, there are already thermocline tanks in process of development where the steam generator (SG) is integrated into the storage tank (European project OPTS).A prototype with integrated SG has been erected for testing purpose in the Casaccia Research Centre of ENEA (Italy) [4]. The model presented in this paper reproduces the experimental data of such prototype using the CFD commercial code STAR-CCM + [5].Unlike very few published until now [6]. The simulated system account for molten salts behavior, not only for the bulk molten salts, but also for the circulation of the molten salts inside the SG (with three steam coils). The molten salts move by induced natural convection and the steam temperatures and pressures are up to ∼500° C/40bar. Temperature gauges situated in the bulk and the molten salts mass flow inside the SG are the main variables considered for validating the model. From the numerical point of view is a transient simulation and the model is 2D-axisymmetric. The required features of the system mesh and the physical models used are presented in this work

In 2003 ENEA realized the PCS experimental Facility at Casaccia Research Centre (Rome, Italy), in order to test in real operating conditions the components of a parabolic trough solar plant, and to evaluate the technical feasibility of using the solar molten salts mixture (60% NaNO₃, 40% KNO₃, melting point 220÷240°C) in such a type of plant. ENEA also had the need to assess the behaviour of the solar receiver tubes during abnormal operating situations (wrong operation, pump block, power failure, etc.), when a block of the circulation of the molten salts may occur and cause the cooling or, worse, the freezing of the salts mixture inside the pipes. Some experimental tests have been performed, aimed to examine what happens in such a cases. In fact, without quick maneuvers to restart the circulation of the molten salts or to readily empty the receiver tubes, the molten salts contained in them may cool down to temperatures near/below the solidification. In this report are shown the results of the experimental tests carried out on the receiver tubes of the PCS Facility by cooling the process fluid down to temperatures near or below its freezing point. The tests show that the solidification of the salts does not damage the components of the plant but it is manageable and reversible, provided you apply the correct procedures.

Parabolic trough concentrated solar power (CSP) plants are particularly promising renewable sources of energy, whose easy integration with thermal energy storage (TES) systems allows to mitigate the intermittency of electricity generation. Currently, molten nitrates, with two tanks arrangement, are mainly used for sensible heat accumulation. To reduce costs and make the CSP storage systems more manageable, single tank configurations have been proposed, where the cold and hot fluids are stored in the same container and separated because of their density difference. The aim of the present work is to study the storage performances presented by two novel ternary and quaternary mixtures, proposed within the European project IN POWER. An experimental campaign was preliminarily performed to investigate the fluids thermo-physical properties, and the obtained values were utilized as input data to model the discharge phase in a thermocline tank. The simulation results were compared with the ones acquired considering two commercial materials, namely, solar salt and Hitec XL®. Overall, considering same temperature ranges, higher discharging times are obtained for the quaternary and ternary mixtures, with the ternary presenting a smaller thermocline thickness than the solar salt while this parameter is the same considering the quaternary and Hitec XL®.

In the frame of the Solar Thermodynamic Laboratory, ENEA has improved CSP Parabolic Trough technologies by adopting new advanced solutions for linear tube receivers and by implementing a binary mixture of molten salt (60% NaNO₃ and 40% KNO₃) [1] as both heat transfer fluid and heat storage medium in solar field and in storage tanks, thus allowing the solar plants to operate at high temperatures up to 550°C. Further improvements have regarded parabolic mirror collectors, piping and process instrumentation. All the innovative components developed by ENEA, together with other standard parts of the plant, have been tested and qualified under actual solar operating conditions on the PCS experimental facility at the ENEA Casaccia Research Center in Rome (Italy). The PCS (Prova Collettori Solari, i.e. Test of Solar Collectors) facility is the main testing loop built by ENEA and it is unique in the world for what concerns the high operating temperature and the fluid used (mixture of molten salt). It consists in one line of parabolic trough collectors (test section of 100 m long life-size solar collectors) using, as heat transfer fluid, the aforesaid binary mixture of molten salt up to 10 bar, at high temperature in the range 270° and 550°C and a flow rate up to 6.5 kg/s. It has been working since early 2004 [2] till now; it consists in a unique closed loop, and it is totally instrumented. In this paper the effects of over ten years qualification tests on the pressurized tank will be presented, together with the characterization of the thermal losses of the piping of the molten salt circuit, and some observations performed on the PCS facility during its first ten years of operation.

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants integrated with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) represent a promising renewable energy source for generating heat and power. Binary molten salt mixtures, commonly referred to as Solar Salts, are utilized as effective heat transfer fluids and storage media due to their thermal stability and favorable thermophysical properties. However, these mixtures pose significant challenges due to their high solidification temperatures, around 240 °C, which can compromise the longevity and reliability of critical system components such as pressure sensors and bellows seal globe valves. Thus, it is essential to characterize their performance, assess their reliability under various conditions, and understand their failure mechanisms, particularly in relation to temperature fluctuations affecting the fluid’s viscosity. This article discusses experimental tests conducted on a pressure sensor and a bellows seal globe valve, both designed for direct contact with molten salts in CSP environments, at the ENEA Casaccia Research Center laboratory in Rome. The methodology for conducting these experimental tests is detailed, and guidelines are outlined to optimize plant operation. The findings provide essential insights for improving component design and maintenance to minimize unplanned plant downtime. They also offer methodologies for installing measurement instruments and electrical heating systems on the components.