Objective To provide an overview of the development of molten salt thermal storage technology in the field of concentrated solar power (CSP) generation and explore its significant role in achieving China's "dual carbon" goals.

Method The principles of molten salt thermal storage technology were introduced, including the types of molten media used (carbonates, chlorides, fluorides, and nitrates, etc.), classifications of thermal storage systems (single-tank, dual-tank, and multi-tank), and types of CSP systems (tower, trough, linear Fresnel, and dish). Additionally, the development landscape of CSP globally and in China was analyzed, and an assessment of the costs associated with CSP projects was conducted.

Result Molten salt thermal storage technology enables CSP units to operate continuously and stably for 24 hours and provides flexible peak shaving capabilities by utilizing molten salt as the heat absorption and storage medium. In large-scale or commercial CSP plants, dual-tank thermal storage systems are widely applied due to their efficient thermal storage capacity and exceptional stability. The global CSP sector exhibits diversified development characteristics, and the cumulative installed capacity of CSP projects in China has been steadily increasing. Cost analysis indicates that with the expansion of production scale and the improvement of power generation efficiency, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for CSP using molten salt energy storage technology is expected to decline significantly.

Conclusion In the future, with increased policy support from the government, further technological maturity, and reduced costs, molten salt thermal storage technology is expected to play a more important role in the field of clean energy, providing strong support for achieving China's "dual carbon" goals.