German solar thermal storage machine

Are high-temperature thermal storage systems the future of energy storage?

With the expansion of renewable energy sources, the ability to store energy will become increasingly crucial. High-temperature thermal storage systems, which have already been implemented into solar thermal power plants on a large scale, are an important and highly promising technology in this sector.

How much heat does a thermal energy store store?

However, in 2006 this value rose to 55.4 °C. The heat losses of the thermal energy store are between 322 MWh/a and 482 MWh/a, corresponding to a moderate storage utilization factor of approx. 60%. This contrasts to a design value of 220 MWh/a.

Where is the first central solar heating plant in Germany?

Since 1997, the first central solar heating plant with borehole thermal energy store (BTES) in Germany is being operated in Neckarsulm. The CSHPSS presently supplies heat for about 300 apartments. Presently 5670 m 2 (3969 kW th) solar thermal collectors are installed on different buildings as well as on a carport and a noise protection embankment.

Can seasonal thermal energy storage replace fossil fuels?

1. INTRODUCTION In Middle Europe seasonal thermal energy storage offers a great potential for substituting fossil fuels by utilization of waste heat from cogeneration heat and power plants (CHP) and of solar energy for hot water preparation and space heating.

How much solar energy does the heating system use in Rostock?

Fig. 9 shows the heat balance for the heating system in Rostock in 2005 based on monthly values. As a result of the high efficiency of the ATES (86.6%) and the high amount of directly used solar thermal energy, the solar heat supplied to the heat distribution net reached a value of 353 kWh/ (m 2 a). Thus a solar fraction of 57% was achieved.

What are the advantages of thermo-chemical energy storage?

Compared with sensible heat stores (e. g. water, aquifer) thermo-chemical energy storage offers several advantages: high energy storage densities and no significant thermal losses even for long term storage. It provides a higher quality as the stored exergy can be used for a chemical heat pumping process.