Thermal Energy Storage Systems
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems are crucial for energy management, balancing supply and demand in heating and cooling. They include Sensible Heat Storage (SHS) with mediums like water and molten salts, Latent Heat Storage (LHS) using phase change materials (PCMs), and Thermo-Chemical Heat Storage (TCS) based on reversible chemical reactions. Innovations like molten aluminum storage, encapsulated PCMs, and molecular solar thermal systems are enhancing TES efficiency and capacity.
See moreIntroduction to Thermal Energy Storage Systems
Thermal energy storage (TES) systems are essential for balancing energy supply with demand, especially in heating and cooling applications. They are broadly classified into three types: sensible heat storage (SHS), latent heat storage (LHS), and thermo-chemical heat storage (TCS). Each type employs different mechanisms and materials to store thermal energy, and their selection is based on their unique benefits, constraints, and the specific requirements of the intended application.Sensible Heat Storage Technologies
Sensible heat storage is the most widely used and technologically mature type of TES. It involves changing the temperature of a storage medium, such as water, molten salts, or solid materials like rocks or sand, without a phase change. Water tanks are an economical SHS solution, while molten salts and metals can handle higher temperatures, thus providing larger storage capacities. Underground thermal energy storage (UTES) and packed-bed storage systems are other forms of SHS that utilize the thermal mass of the ground or a packed material to store heat. The primary limitation of SHS is that its storage capacity is limited by the specific heat capacity of the storage medium.Molten Salt Energy Storage in Solar Power
Molten salt technology is a specific application of SHS used in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. It involves storing solar energy at high temperatures using molten salts, which can later be used to generate electricity via steam turbines. This method is efficient and capable of storing thermal energy for extended periods, sometimes up to a week, with adequate insulation. Projects like Solar Two and solar thermal power plants such as the Solana Generating Station and the Gemasolar Thermosolar Plant have successfully implemented molten salt storage to enable continuous power generation.Innovations in Sensible Heat Storage
Recent innovations in SHS include the development of steam accumulators, hot silicon technology, and molten aluminum storage. Steam accumulators store heat in the form of pressurized water and steam. Hot silicon and molten aluminum technologies provide higher storage temperatures and improved efficiencies. Additionally, storing heat in materials like hot rocks or concrete, as seen in the Wiggenhausen-Süd solar project, and the "brick toaster" concept, are novel approaches that allow for the retention of surplus energy at high temperatures for long durations.Latent Heat Storage and Phase Change Materials
Latent heat storage leverages phase change materials (PCMs) that absorb or release significant amounts of heat during phase transitions, commonly from solid to liquid and back. This characteristic enables PCMs to store large amounts of energy at a constant temperature, offering an advantage over SHS. PCMs can be composed of various substances, including organic compounds, inorganic salts, and eutectic mixtures, each suitable for different temperature ranges and applications. Encapsulation techniques are employed to contain PCMs, preventing leakage and enhancing the durability and reliability of the storage system.Thermo-Chemical Heat Storage and Its Applications
Thermo-chemical heat storage involves the use of reversible chemical reactions to store and release heat. This method has the potential for higher energy storage densities compared to LHS. TCS systems typically use heat to decompose chemical compounds, storing the resulting products separately, and then recombine them to release the stored energy. Examples include the decomposition and rehydration of substances like calcium hydroxide. Adsorption processes, which utilize materials such as zeolites, are also considered TCS, offering both thermal energy storage and humidity regulation.Emerging Technologies in Thermal Energy Storage
Cutting-edge TES technologies are investigating the storage of energy in chemical bonds and molecular solar thermal systems (MOST). These approaches aim to achieve high energy densities and long-term storage capabilities. The DSPEC cell, for example, captures solar energy by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, effectively storing energy in the form of hydrogen fuel. MOST systems utilize photoisomerization, storing solar energy in molecular structures that can release the energy on demand. These innovative strategies have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and capacity of TES systems.Electric and Solar Thermal Energy Storage
Electric thermal storage heaters, which are often used in residential settings with time-of-use electricity pricing, and large-scale electric energy storage systems are being developed to leverage excess renewable energy for heating purposes. Vacuum super insulated heat stores represent an emerging technology that allows for the seasonal storage and retrieval of heat with minimal thermal losses. Solar thermal energy storage, including solar hot water tanks and seasonal thermal energy storage systems, facilitates the capture and utilization of solar energy throughout the year, exemplified by the Drake Landing Solar Community, which has achieved a record-breaking solar heating fraction.Want to create maps from your material?
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1
Purpose of TES systems
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2
Criteria for TES system selection
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3
______ heat storage is a common and advanced TES method, involving temperature alteration of a medium without changing its state.
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4
For SHS, ______ serve as a cost-effective option, whereas ______ and ______ are used for higher temperature storage.
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5
______ and ______ are types of SHS that rely on the thermal mass of the earth or a packed substance.
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6
Molten salt technology application
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7
Energy release method in molten salt storage
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8
Duration of thermal energy storage in molten salts
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9
Recent advancements in ______ have led to the creation of steam accumulators and hot silicon technology.
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10
Steam accumulators function by keeping heat in ______ and ______.
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11
______ and ______ technologies enable higher storage temperatures and better efficiencies in SHS.
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Hot silicon molten aluminum
12
The ______ solar project utilizes materials like hot rocks and concrete for heat storage.
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Wiggenhausen-Süd
13
The 'brick toaster' concept is a new method that allows storing surplus energy at ______ for extended periods.
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high temperatures
14
Phase transitions in PCMs
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PCMs absorb/release heat when changing phases, typically solid to liquid or vice versa.
15
Composition of PCMs
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PCMs include organic compounds, inorganic salts, eutectic mixtures, each for specific temp ranges.
16
Encapsulation of PCMs
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Encapsulation contains PCMs, prevents leakage, and enhances durability and reliability of storage.
17
______ heat storage uses reversible reactions to store and emit heat, potentially holding more energy than LHS.
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18
An example of a substance used in TCS for heat storage is ______.
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19
Materials like ______ are used in TCS for both thermal energy storage and managing moisture levels.
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20
Energy storage in chemical bonds
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21
DSPEC cell function
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22
MOST systems energy storage mechanism
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23
______ heaters are commonly utilized in homes with ______ electricity pricing to store heat.
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24
To store heat with minimal loss, an emerging technology known as ______ is being developed.
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25
The ______ has set a new benchmark for solar heating by achieving a high solar heating fraction.
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