Solar energy storage across seasons and at medium temperature

Can a seasonal solar thermal energy storage system cover winter heating demand?

While the system aims to cover winter heating demand, its success depends on practical operating conditions and fluctuating ambient temperatures. Ma et al. assessed the viability of a seasonal solar thermal energy storage (SSTES) system utilizing ammonia-based chemisorption for residential use in the UK.

What is seasonal solar energy storage?

Seasonal solar energy storage, which involves storing excess solar thermal energy during non-heating seasons and releasing it during heating seasons, is an effective technology to achieve the balance between building energy supply and demand .

What is seasonal thermal energy storage (STES)?

Using excess heat collected in the summer to compensate for the heat supply insufficiency during the wintertime is the concept of seasonal thermal energy storage (STES), also called long-term heat storage.

What is solar thermal energy storage?

Solar thermal energy storage is used in many applications: buildings, concentrating solar power plants and industrial processes. Solar thermal water heaters capable of heating water during the day and storing the heated water for evening use are common. TES improves system performance by smoothing supply and demand and temperature fluctuations.

What is seasonal/long-term heat storage?

The concept of seasonal/long-term heat storage presents great opportunities for making the utmost use of solar energy. Stored “excess” heat can compensate for the heat shortage when necessary. Seasonal storage offers the possibility that solar energy can cover all the heating loads without an extra heating system.

What is a seasonal thermochemical energy storage and heating system?

In present paper, a seasonal thermochemical energy storage and heating system coupled with solar collectors has been proposed, as shown in Fig. 1. The system primarily consists of an air blower, a solar collector, a thermal storage reactor with salt hydrates, humidity regulators, and other relevant components.