Energy storage cooling system design and simulation

What are thermal energy storage systems?

There are various technological solutions acting as Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems, which can find application at domestic level. In Sensible Heat Storage (SHS) systems, thermal energy is stored by heating or cooling a liquid or solid as water, sand, molten salts, or rocks, with water being the cheapest option.

What is a ministor thermal energy storage system?

MiniStor is an innovative compact thermal energy storage system that combines TCM and PCM materials for year-round thermal storage for heating and cooling. It is characterized by a very high energy storage density, over 10.6 times higher than the density of equivalent water-based systems.

Why do cooling systems need thermal energy storage?

To address these issues, thermal energy storage (TES) units can be incorporated into cooling systems to act as a buffer between supply and demand and to provide flexibility. This enables the peak cooling demand to be shaved, electrical load to be shifted and electricity costs reduced.

How efficient is a cooling system?

In the summer case where the thermal energy generated is not utilized, the efficiency for cooling is 41%. Regarding the overall energy coverage of the building, the simulation results showed that in winter cases, the system generated enough thermal energy to almost fully cover the building needs during its operation.

Is a compact integrated thermal storage system suitable for residential buildings?

The main novelties of the present study, with respect to the literature, lie on the dynamic modelling and simulations of a novel compact integrated thermal storage system, comprising both TCM and PCM systems that can be adapted to existing systems in residential buildings, able to cover both heating and cooling needs.

What is battery thermal management & cooling?

Thermal management and cooling solutions for batteries are widely discussed topics with the evolution to a more compact and increased-density battery configuration. A battery thermal-management system (BTMS) that maintains temperature uniformity is essential for the battery-management system (BMS).