Solar Thermal Storage

Currently, a large part of industry's energy needs, both in terms of electricity and heat consumption, are met using systems based on fossil fuels. Efforts are required to move towards an effective decarbonization process, through the implementation of clean technologies to eliminate dependence on fossil fuels.

The process of decarbonization with renewable energies poses challenges given the variable nature of energy sources, so in order to achieve an optimal operation that allows adapting the energy generation profile to the demand profile, it is key to have a solution that allows managing and dispatching energy, i.e., an energy storage system.

Chile has the best solar resource in the world, due to its high level of normal direct irradiation and global horizontal irradiation, coupled with low atmospheric attenuation and few cloudy days. For this reason, Chile is one of the countries with the greatest potential for the development of solar technologies, whether photovoltaic or concentrating solar power. In order to take advantage of the full potential of renewable generation in Chile, it is necessary to have storage systems to manage the dispatch of energy, either to supply thermal or electrical demands.

Regarding the National Electric System, 59% of the installed capacity as of February 1, 2023 is composed of non-conventional renewable technologies, where the participation of solar energy is 35%, generating 17% of the energy during the year 2022. In order to increase the percentage of participation in annual generation, it is necessary to implement storage systems that increase the plant factor of the systems.

We currently have the capacity to provide the following services:

• Simulations of energy storage systems (thermal and electrical).
• Techno-economic pre-feasibility studies to evaluate the potential of solar plants with storage systems.