560MW molten salt energy storage project in Chile

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AES Andes receives environmental approval for 560MW molten salt energy storage project in Chile

A project to convert an existing coal plant in Chile to renewable energy and energy storage has received environmental approval. The project, called Alba, will use molten salt technology to store solar energy.

The project will require an investment of US$450 million. The technology was explained in its EIA review a little over a year ago.

The energy storage unit would use a system of salts heated to 310-560°C, which would then enter a water/salt heat exchanger to release the stored thermal energy and generate steam to move a turbogenerator.

It was implied in the review that the system could have a discharge duration of 10 hours, meaning potentially 5,600MWh of energy storage capacity.

The potential technology provider has not been revealed. AES Andes hasn't given an expected commercial operation date (COD) for the project.

The energy storage market in Chile is set to soar in the next few years. The country's northern Atacama desert region is said to be the 'sunniest place in the world'.

What is molten salt energy storage?

Molten salt energy storage is a type of energy storage that uses molten salts to store thermal energy. The salts are heated to a high temperature, which stores the energy. The energy can then be released later to generate electricity.

What are the benefits of molten salt energy storage?

Molten salt energy storage has several benefits, including:

It can store large amounts of energy
It can be stored for long periods of time
It is a relatively mature technology
It is a safe and reliable technology

What are the challenges of molten salt energy storage?

Molten salt energy storage also has some challenges, including:

It is expensive
It requires a lot of space
It can be a bit complex to operate
Overall, molten salt energy storage is a promising technology that has the potential to play a major role in the future of energy storage.

Here are some additional details about the project:

The project will be located in Mejillones, Chile.
The project will convert the existing 560MW Angamos power plant into a renewable energy storage and generation system.
The project will require an investment of US$450 million.
The project is expected to be completed in 2025.