World · Vietnam Bureau
China develops innovative molten salt power storage technology
State-owned power giant China Huaneng is constructing the nation's first facility that harnesses surplus coal-generated electricity by storing heat in molten salt, then converting it to power through a carbon dioxide-driven turbine system rather than traditional steam.
LSN Vietnam ·
China Huaneng, among the country's five largest state-owned electricity generation enterprises, has begun construction on a pioneering facility that represents a significant shift in how China manages surplus thermal energy from coal power plants. The installation will capture excess electricity during off-peak periods and convert it into heat stored within molten salt, effectively creating a thermal battery capable of releasing energy on demand.
Unlike conventional power generation systems that rely on steam to drive turbines, the new facility employs carbon dioxide as the working fluid. This approach offers distinct advantages in terms of efficiency and operational flexibility, allowing the plant to dispatch stored energy during peak electricity demand periods.
The technology addresses a persistent challenge in China's energy infrastructure: managing fluctuations in power generation from coal plants and integrating them with increasingly variable renewable energy sources. By storing thermal energy rather than allowing it to dissipate, the facility enhances overall grid stability and reduces waste.
The development underscores China's ongoing investment in energy storage solutions as the nation transitions toward managing a more complex, diversified power generation portfolio. Molten salt storage technology has gained traction globally as a means to improve the efficiency of thermal power plants and support grid modernization efforts across multiple energy scenarios.