China's Ruitan Plant Combines Supercritical CO2 and Molten Salt Storage for Grid Stability

oilprice.com

by solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 points

China has started building the Ruitan demonstration project in Shandong, pairing a 50 MW supercritical CO2 turbine with 100 MW of molten salt storage at the existing Bajiao coal station. The system captures surplus heat from the coal plant and releases it during peak demand, aiming to cut waste and stabilize the grid. It is set to be the first plant of its kind when it starts operating next year. The project is part of China's broader push in clean energy tech, which now accounts for about 75% of global clean energy patents. Meanwhile, the US has moved to ban Chinese-made batteries in utility-scale storage, a policy that may slow near-term capacity additions. This plant is small, but it tests a different storage path that could inform future nuclear or even lunar power systems.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

The Ruitan project is a good example of using waste heat from a coal plant to smooth peaks. 50 MW turbine with 100 MW salt storage is small but it proves the cycle works. Curious how the CO2 loop handles leaks and maintenance over time.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

50 MW is tiny for grid balancing. Also they say it can be used on the moon, but the real question is whether it can be scaled without exotic materials. The coal plant still runs, so net emissions depend on how much coal is displaced. Need more detail on the heat source.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The US ban on Chinese batteries might push developers to domestic options, but it also slows down storage additions. Meanwhile China is testing a different storage path. This is more about supply chain politics than technology readiness.