Performance assessment of a Moving-Bed Heat Exchanger with a sensible heat transfer medium for solar central receiver power plants

Renewable energies are gaining importance due to the steadily increasing scarcity of fossil fuels, the ongoing climate change and last but not least the risks, which accompany the use of nuclear power. In this growing market, solar thermal power plants offer a centralized load following electricity production. To serve this need, the integration of thermal energy storage systems is mandatory. Thermal energy storages based on fine, granular materials represent an efficient and cost-effective solution. Low cost solid particulates may both store and