Utilizing Wadi Rum Silica Sands for Solar Thermal Energy and Heat Storage: A Sustainable Solution for Domestic Use

This research offers a hands‐on examination of using Jordan’s naturally abundant, high‐purity Wadi Rum silica sand (SiO 2 > 99%) as an affordable material for thermal energy storage (TES) in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems aimed at home‐scale applications. During the 3 days of continuous testing, the setup achieved a peak heat transfer rate of 18.7 kW, heating water by 27°C, reaching a top outlet temperature of 54.9°C. The silica sand proved to be an effective thermal reservoir, attaining internal temperatures between 67°C and 69°C. On average, the system produced 11.2 kWh of thermal energy per day, with an overall efficiency of 50.2%, while cutting daily CO 2 emissions by about 2.07 kg. The economic assessment showed a payback time of just 1.49 years, which reduced to 1.04 years with a 30% subsidy. Altogether, the findings confirm that Wadi Rum silica sand offers a practical, sustainable, and financially attractive pathway for thermal storage, directly advancing Jordan’s drive toward a cleaner and more self‐reliant energy future.