Abstract
The implementation of thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials to support the integration of renewable energies is a key element that allows reducing the energy consumption in buildings by increasing self-consumption and system efficiency. The selection of the most suitable phase change material is an important part of the successful implementation of the thermal energy storage system. The aim of this paper is to present the methodology used to assess the suitability of potential phase change materials to be used in two innovative energy storage systems, one of them being mainly intended to provide cooling, while the other provides heating and domestic hot water to residential buildings. The selection methodology relies on a qualitative decision matrix, which uses some common features of phase change materials to assign an overall score to each material that should allow comparing the different options. Experimental characterization of the best candidates was also performed to help in making a final decision. The results indicate some of the most suitable candidates for both systems, with RT4 being the most promising commercial phase change material for the system designed to provide cooling, while for the system designed to provide heating and domestic hot water, the most promising candidate is RT64HC, another commercial product.
Highlights
The use of thermal energy storage (TES) systems in applications in which either energy supply is intermittent or energy demand has large fluctuations is a key aspect of any energy system, able to reduce energy consumption or costs, besides enhancing the flexibility of the system and reducing the dependence on the energy source availability [1]
This paper presented the methodology applied as the initial step of an overall evaluation and materials selection process of the most suitable phase change material (PCM) to be implemented as TES in two innovative compact systems aimed to provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water (DHW) in residential buildings in the Mediterranean and Continental regions in a more efficient way
A qualitative decision matrix was used in the pre-screening process to assess the potential of the most promising PCM candidates, by assigning a score to a few relevant properties and calculating a total score based on a weighted average of the scores obtained by the single properties of each
Summary
The use of thermal energy storage (TES) systems in applications in which either energy supply is intermittent or energy demand has large fluctuations is a key aspect of any energy system, able to reduce energy consumption or costs, besides enhancing the flexibility of the system and reducing the dependence on the energy source availability [1]. TES technologies have been developed for applications that cover a wide temperature range, from low-temperature applications such as ice storage or the conservation and transport of temperature-sensitive materials [3,4], going through medium temperature applications such as space heating and cooling in buildings [5,6], and domestic hot water (DHW) generation [7,8,9], up to high-temperature applications such as concentrated solar power (CSP) plants [10,11].
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