Integrated Intelligent Energy ›› 2026, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (5): 64-73.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2097-0706.2026.05.007

• Integrated Energy System Analysis and Evaluation • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Design and economic analysis of molten salt thermal storage system for 600 MW condensing unit

YUE Baiyang(), GENG Shimin*(), CHENG Siyuan()   

  1. School of Mechanical EngineeringHebei University of Science and TechnologyShijiazhuang 050018, China
  • Received:2025-09-25 Revised:2025-11-09 Published:2025-12-25
  • Contact: GENG Shimin E-mail:resbaiyang@163.com;gengsm@hebust.edu.cn;mecheng@hebust.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(52206224);Youth Top-notch Talent Project of Hebei Provincial Department of Education(BJK2024030)

Abstract:

To achieve deep peak shaving and flexible operation of thermal power units under the "dual carbon" goals and to enhance the grid adaptability of high-capacity pure condensing units, a coupled design and economic analysis of a molten salt heat storage system for a 600 MW condensing unit is conducted. The aim is to propose a technical retrofit scheme that balances peak-shaving capability and thermal economy. A thermodynamic system simulation model of the unit was established based on the EBSILON software, and its accuracy was verified. Two steam extraction and heat storage schemes were proposed. Scheme 1 extracted reheated steam, and scheme 2 extracted main steam. Under rated operating conditions, and based on a heat storage load of 90 MW, a coupled heat storage and release system model was established. A comparative analysis was carried out across five dimensions: peak-shaving capacity, overall plant heat efficiency, absolute electrical efficiency, system cycle efficiency, and engineering applicability. Combined with the peak-valley electricity price policy in Hebei Province, the average daily revenue and static investment payback period of the system were estimated. The simulation results showed that the peak-shaving capacities of scheme 1 and scheme 2 were 38.85 MW and 54.70 MW, respectively, and the system cycle efficiencies were 84.6% and 60.1%, respectively. Under typical peak-valley electricity prices, the average daily net revenues of scheme 1 and scheme 2 were 98 100 yuan and 70 500 yuan, respectively. The static investment payback periods were 2.08 years and 3.53 years, respectively. Scheme 1 demonstrated more excellent performance in terms of system cycle efficiency, absolute electrical efficiency, and economic performance. For the molten salt heat storage retrofit of high-capacity condensing units, the scheme extracting reheated steam ensured significant peak-shaving capability while possessing better thermal economic performance and a shorter investment payback period. With better comprehensive performance, it can be recommended as a technical route for the flexibility retrofit of similar units.

Key words: condensing unit, flexibility retrofit, molten salt heat storage, simulation, economic analysis

CLC Number: