Researchers claim 90 percent efficiency gain over PV electricity generation.
Source: Australian Team Taps Molten Salt for Solar-Powered Refrigeration : Greentech Media
MAWSON LAKES, Australia—An Australian research team is attempting to increase the efficiency of solar-powered refrigeration processes by storing excess energy in salt-based phase-change materials. “Relative to storing solar PV (photovoltaic) in a battery, which is then used to run the refrigeration system, the overall efficiency (of the salt-based system) is more than 90%,” said team member Martin Belusko, Ph.D., of the University of South Australia. The system can use excess solar energy to freeze a salt solution that provides cooling when PV power is no longer available. The phase-change material is contained in coils within a purpose-built tank. It melts at a temperature below 0°C (32°F), so that “subzero secondary refrigerant glycol temperatures of –6°C (21°F) and below are possible, which in turn gives process/cool-room temperatures as low as –3°C (27°F),” according to Glaciem, the Australian company seeking to commercialize the technology.
