The Role of Thermal Storage Power Plants in Germany’s Energy Transition: A Temporal and Regional Analysis

Abstract

Climate change mitigation demands a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions, with the energy sector, especially coal power, being a major contributor. Germany’s energy transition strategy focuses on increasing renewables, but the variable nature of solar and wind requires a more flexible system to ensure reliability. Solutions include energy storage and dispatchable power plants. Traditional coal plants are increasingly getting phased out, creating challenges for the supply of process heat. Thermal Energy Storage Power Plants (TESPs) offer a promising solution, using heat storage to provide backup power and heat. This talk explores TESPs' role in an optimized future energy system.