In order to study the performance and feasibility of magnesia-alumina spinel (MgAl 2 O 4 ) ceramics for thermal storage in solar thermal power generation, MgAl 2 O 4 was prepared by theoretical composition using α-Al 2 O 3 as aluminium source, fused magnesia, magnesite, and light burned magnesia as different magnesium sources and kaolin as additive. The effects of magnesium source and the additive on sintering properties, thermal shock resistance and thermal properties of MgAl 2 O 4 ceramics were researched. The results shown sample A1 (with fused magnesia) sintered at 1670 • C possessed the optimum comprehensive properties, the bending strength increased by 7.71% after 30 thermal shock times (room temperature-1000 • C, air cooling), the specific heat capacity was 1.05 J/ (g⋅K).Therefore, the MgAl 2 O 4 ceramics exhibited great potential in high-temperature thermal storage material. K E Y W O R D Smagnesium sources, mgal 2 o 4 thermal storage ceramics, solar thermal power, thermal shock resistance