The Thermo‐Economic Potential of ORC‐Based Pumped‐Thermal Electricity Storage: Insights from the Integrated Design of Processes and Working Fluids

Higher shares of renewable energy increase the need for electricity storage. A promising storage technology is Pumped-Thermal Electricity Storage (PTES): PTES systems transform into heat using a pump (HP) and reconvert engine. Since both HPs engines require working fluids, maximum performance requires optimal combination process fluids. Herein this work, thermo-economic potential an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)-based system analyzed by simultaneously designing fluids used in HP ORC. To rigorously explore molecular design space, 1-stage Continuous-Molecular Targeting - Computer-Aided Molecular Design method employed. Detailed models costing sizing equipment allow PTES. The computer-aided formulation integrates as degrees freedom optimization. For investigated ORC-based with input power 60 MW, minimize specific investment cost to SIC = 929 € kWh out − 1 . analysis drivers shows that decreasing compressor cost, can become competitive technology.