Did you know the global thermal energy storage market was estimated at 4.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2022?
Not just that, it was also forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% until 2030, reaching 8 billion dollars that year. – Statista Research
Isn’t this astonishing?
It is indeed.
Thermal energy storage is emerging as a groundbreaking technology that allows you to capture and store excess heat or cold for later use. From reducing energy costs to increasing sustainability, applications are vast and exciting.
That’s where thermal energy storage tanks come in where you can store thermal energy effectively.
In this comprehensive guide, you learn everything about thermal energy storage from what it is, to how many types and benefits and more.
So, without further ado, let’s explore what it is here.
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Thermal energy storage (TES) is a technology that lets you capture and store heat for later use. The primary purpose of this is to balance the supply and demand of energy by storing excess thermal energy when it is available and releasing it when needed. This can help improve the efficiency of energy systems and contribute to the integration of renewable energy sources.
Also, there are several methods of thermal energy storage, and they can be categorized into three main types.
Thermal energy storage systems come in various forms, each designed to suit specific needs and applications. The three primary types of thermal energy storage systems are sensible heat storage, latent heat storage, and thermochemical storage.
Sensible heat storage simply means storing heat by changing the temperature of a material. Common materials like water, rocks, and ceramics are used for this purpose. When these materials get warmer, they absorb heat, and when they cool down, they release it. It's a straightforward way to save and use heat.
Latent heat storage involves changing a material's phase to store heat—like turning a solid into a liquid. Phase change materials (PCMs), such as paraffin wax and salt hydrates, are used for this. These materials can absorb or release a lot of energy during phase changes, making them useful for storing heat at specific temperatures.
For instance, Ice Energy's Ice Bear System: Ice Energy's Ice Bear system is a thermal energy storage solution that integrates with existing HVAC systems in commercial buildings. By storing excess energy as ice during off-peak hours, the system reduces cooling costs and shifts energy consumption to low-demand periods.
Thermochemical storage stores energy through chemical reactions that absorb or release heat. This method uses reversible chemical reactions, like those with salt hydrates and certain metal oxides. These reactions allow the material to absorb heat in one phase and release it in another, providing a flexible and efficient way to store and retrieve thermal energy as needed.
Electrochemical thermal energy storage is a way of storing energy that involves using both electricity and heat. In this system, electricity is turned into a kind of stored energy during charging, and then it's turned back into electricity when needed. Lithium-ion batteries are a common example of this technology. They not only store electrical energy but also manage and use the heat produced or absorbed during the process. This combination makes for a more efficient and effective way to store and retrieve energy.
For instance, Tesla's Hornsdale Power Reserve located in South Australia is the world's largest lithium-ion battery energy storage project. It utilizes thermal energy storage to store excess energy generated by wind farms and deliver it to the grid during peak demand periods, enhancing grid stability and reliability.
Now that you know the types of energy storage, have a look at the advantages that it offers.
The implementation of thermal energy storage systems offers a range of benefits across different sectors and industries. Here are some of the key advantages:
Thus, thermal energy storage plays a crucial role in enhancing energy system performance, reducing costs, and promoting the integration of sustainable and renewable energy sources.
Now let’s understand the applications of thermal energy storage and how it works.
Thermal energy storage systems have a wide range of applications across various industries and sectors:
Thermal energy storage is widely used in buildings for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. By storing excess heat or cold, buildings can reduce their energy consumption and optimize their HVAC systems' efficiency.
Many industrial processes require heat or cold for various purposes, such as manufacturing, refrigeration, or chemical reactions. Thermal energy storage allows industries to store excess energy during low-demand periods and utilize it when needed, reducing energy costs and improving process efficiency.
Thermal energy storage plays a vital role in integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. By storing excess energy generated from renewable sources, such as solar or wind power, thermal energy storage can help balance supply and demand fluctuations, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply.
Thermal energy storage systems can be utilized in transportation sectors, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs). By storing excess heat generated during vehicle operation, thermal energy storage can improve the efficiency and range of EVs, making them more practical and sustainable.
Data centers consume a significant amount of energy for cooling purposes. Thermal energy storage can help optimize the cooling process by storing excess cold during low-demand periods and utilizing it when the cooling load is high. This reduces energy costs and improves the overall efficiency of data centers.
Installation time is an important consideration, especially if you have time constraints or project deadlines. Stainless steel panel tanks can be installed three times faster than concrete tanks due to their prefabricated nature. This advantage translates into reduced labor costs and faster project completion.
Concrete tanks, on the other hand, have a longer installation time compared to stainless steel panel tanks, often resulting in delays and increased labor expenses.
Bolted FRP tanks require more time for construction due to the nature of their bolted assembly, making prefabrication impractical.
Stainless steel panel tanks are robust storage solutions for thermal energy. They are constructed with high-quality stainless steel, providing durability and corrosion resistance. These tanks are designed to store hot or cold water, making them versatile for a range of applications.
And here comes a case study of Daikin Air Conditioning Pvt. Ltd leveraging stainless steel panel tanks for thermal storage application.
We recently completed a project for Daikin Air Conditioning Pvt Ltd, providing a customized insulated panel tank. The tank's specifications include a size of W-4 x L-6 x H-4 meters, providing a capacity of 96 cubic meters. The project was commissioned by Takenaka India Pvt Ltd, with Daikin Air Conditioning Pvt Ltd as the end user.
One of the challenges that a huge manufacturing industry faces is to store the cooling water efficiently for various applications and manage its temperature throughout.
No doubt that the 'Chiller' cools water, but to manage its temperature throughout the process you should consider – thermal water storage tanks.
These tanks, equipped with thermal insulation with aluminum covers and stainless steel panels, ensure that water remains at the desired temperature i.e., between 7-12 degrees. By incorporating thermal storage tanks, the cooling process becomes more effective, maintaining the water temperature consistently and addressing the pain point of temperature control in the system.
This project underscores Beltecno's expertise in delivering customized solutions for thermal storage needs in collaboration with leading companies in the industry.
Now let’s explore how it functions.
Thermal energy storage systems work by collecting and storing extra heat or cold to use later. Here are the crucial steps that this process includes:
The first step is to collect excess heat or cold from various sources, such as industrial processes, renewable energy systems, or waste heat recovery systems, and direct this collected energy to the thermal energy storage system.
The second step is to store the collected energy in a suitable medium, depending on the type of thermal energy storage system being used. This medium can be a solid material, a phase change material, or a chemical compound capable of undergoing reversible reactions.
The next step is to retain the stored energy within the medium until it is needed. The properties of the medium allow it to actively hold onto the energy for an extended period without significant losses.
And the last step is to extract the stored energy from the storage medium when needed and actively use it for the intended purpose. This extraction process involves transferring the heat or cold to another medium through heat exchangers or directly using the actively stored energy.
This is how the thermal energy storage system works. But do you know there are certain factors that you should consider while implementing?
If not, then learn it here.
When you're setting up a thermal energy storage system, there are some important things to think about to make sure it works well. Let's break it down:
When setting up your thermal energy storage system, make sure to customize it for your needs by considering how much energy you want to store, how long you need it, and the temperature range. Also, it was found that the best design improved efficiency significantly, increasing the thermal performance from 45.54% to 72.22% compared to systems without optimization.
Choose the right material to store the thermal energy. Think about how much energy it can hold, how stable it is, how much it costs, and if it's good for the environment. It's like picking the best backpack for your journey.
Your thermal energy storage system should work smoothly with the systems you already have in place. It needs to get along with your heating and cooling systems, any renewable energy sources you use, and the overall power grid.
Just like taking care of your car to keep it running smoothly, your thermal energy storage system needs regular check-ups. Make sure everything is working as it should by monitoring and doing maintenance regularly.
Implement safety measures to mitigate risks and choose environmentally friendly materials. Don’t forget to check for overheating, leaks, or any chemical reactions that could be risky.
So, when putting in a thermal energy storage system, think about how much energy you need, what material to use, how it fits with your current systems, keep it well-maintained, and make sure it's safe for you and the environment. That way, you'll have a system that flawlessly works.
Now you must be wondering whether thermal energy storage has any limitations or not, right?
There are some limitations that can’t be ignored:
That’s all but would you like to know the future trends?
Here are a few of the changes that you can expect:
And with that, let’s conclude our blog.
Thermal energy storage emerges as a cornerstone for a sustainable and efficient energy future. From understanding its diverse applications to unraveling the economic and environmental benefits, we've delved into everything you need to know about this transformative technology.
Now, take the eco-friendly step by embracing innovation and energy efficiency with Beltecno's cutting-edge thermal energy storage tanks. These tanks redefine the way you store and utilize energy, promising not just savings but also a conscientious approach to resource consumption.