This paper explores a coal-fired power unit coupled with a double-tank molten salt heat storage system. Eight configurations for storage and heat release locations and three options for mass flow rates are combined to create 576 peaking modes. The orthogonal test method is used for parameter performance analysis to quickly and accurately identify the optimal configuration. The simulation results highlight that the coupling scheme achieves optimal performance when the heat storage and steam extraction volume is set to 100 t/h

the heat release and water extraction volume to 150 t/h

the heat storage location to reheat steam + No. 3 steam extraction and the heat release node to condensate + No. 3 high-pressure heater outlet feedwater. Calculations show that this scheme provides 32 and 21.84 MW of peaking capacity during heat storage and release

respectively

with heat consumption dropping to 5215.03 kJ/kW·h and 4336.37 kJ/kW·h. The cycle thermal efficiency of 44.41% and exergy efficiency of 39.85% for this coupled system are higher than those of a conventional coal-fired power plant (CFPP)

enhancing the unit's thermal performance and flexibility.