The development of a high performance concrete to store thermal energy for concentrating solar power plants

n recent years, due to rising energy costs as well as an increased awareness of the environmental effects of greenhouse gas emissions produced through traditional forms of energy production, there is great interest in developing alternative sources of energy. One of the most viable alternative energy sources is solar energy. In particular, concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies have been identified as an option for meeting utility needs in the U.S. Southwest. These systems are required to produce electricity not only during periods of high solar radiation but also during times of reduced radiation due to cloud cover, and even extend production to periods during the night. In order to achieve this goal, CSP plants must incorporate a thermal energy storage (TES) system from which energy can be sourced when needed. Besides the integration of a TES sub-system, another area where CSP technologies can be improved is in the development and use of heat transfer fluids (HTF) that can remain stable at temperatures up to and in excess of 1112°F (600°C).;This research explores the use of concrete as a TES storage medium for CSP technologies, specifically, parabolic trough power plants. Concrete is relatively inexpensive and the costs/ kWhthermal of energy based on the concretes used in this research could be less than...