Researchers Jihun Lim and Sungwon Lee from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have published a study in the journal Nature Energy, exploring the potential of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems for grid-scale energy generation. Their work focuses on a self-sustainable TPV system that can function as a standalone power generation asset, integrating solar charging to provide dispatchable, zero-emission power.
The study performs a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of TPV systems, comparing them to conventional dispatchable generators like gas turbines. The researchers used theory-based models for conventional air-bridge InGaAs and Si diode cells to evaluate the systems’ performance and cost-effectiveness.
The analysis reveals that while the current capital expenditure for thermal battery materials makes the TPV system less competitive from a pure levelized cost of storage (LCOS) perspective, its levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is comparable to that of conventional dispatchable generators. This means that TPV systems could potentially provide a cost-effective, zero-emission alternative to traditional power sources.
Furthermore, the researchers found that a full silicon (Si)-based TPV system, utilizing a 50-micrometer-thick air-bridge cell for enhanced photon utilization, can achieve an LCOE competitive with conventional power sources at scales exceeding the gigawatt-hour level. This is notable because silicon is more scalable and lower-risk to deploy than III-V materials, offering a practical engineering pathway for widespread adoption.
The study establishes the self-sustainable TPV architecture as a promising avenue for providing grid-scale, on-demand, zero-emission power. As the energy industry seeks to integrate more renewable energy sources, dispatchable power generation assets like TPV systems could play a crucial role in maintaining grid stability and facilitating the widespread adoption of renewable energy.
The research was published in the journal Nature Energy, providing a valuable contribution to the ongoing efforts to develop cost-effective, zero-emission power generation technologies.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.