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Supplying process heat using concentrated solar thermal energy with molten salt storage
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Supplying process heat using concentrated solar thermal energy with molten salt storage

Alicia Wongel, Jacqueline A Dowling, Gerhard Weinrebe, Steven J Davis and Ken Caldeira
Environmental Research: Energy, Vol.3(2), 25004
06/30/2026
DOI: 10.1088/2753-3751/ae4eea
url
https://doi.org/10.1088/2753-3751/ae4eeaView
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Industrial process heat accounts for about a quarter of global energy use and one-fifth of carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon-free sources of heat are limited, particularly at medium-to-high temperatures (between about 200 °C and 550 °C). Concentrated solar thermal (CST) technologies offer a promising solution for heat demands at temperatures under about 500 °C in regions with strong solar resources. This study evaluates the potential of CST, combined with molten salt thermal storage, to supply industrial heat demand in that temperature range in competition with natural gas. Using a stylized model, we quantify the CST share in least-cost systems globally, providing steady, reliable heat under varying gas fuel costs. At a gas fuel cost of$50/MWh (for example, about $ 48/MWh has been observed during a seasonal peak of the industrial gas prices in California during February 2025), in most regions below 45° latitude with appropriate land availability, results show that there can be cost savings by using CST to supply more than 50% of industrial heat demand. If gas fuel costs were $50/MWh in solar-rich countries, such as Saudi Arabia, CST could supply up to 90% of this heat demand. Higher gas prices further increase CST deployment, associated system cost savings, and emission reductions. If sufficient land is available, our findings suggest that CST has the potential to provide opportunities to simultaneously reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions, especially in locations with abundant solar resources.

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