Focus of the funding initiative
Storing heat
In the various research networks, researchers are working on improving the components and structure of known technologies, for example, using new and less costly materials. One particular focus is on latent heat storage and sorption storage systems. The main application areas are storage for conventional and solar thermal power plants, for current-regulated CHP plants, seasonal storage for buildings, and storage facilities that simplify the management of heating networks.
long-term storage
Increasing the storage density with salt hydrates
How can solar energy be stored better? For optimisation purposes, scientists in the ThessaPor project are developing composite materials that store solar energy thermochemically. The composites are structured so that an inorganic salt is stored in them. This makes it possible to combine the advantages of water vapour sorption storage systems with the advantages of storage systems based on the reversible hydration of salts. ... more
Saisonal storage in aquifers
Aquifers have a large storage capacity and offer considerable potential as seasonal thermal or cooling storage systems. In a research project, researchers developed an improved storage concept for supplying heating and cooling energy to buildings and entire urban districts. For this purpose, they are combined the expertise from various specialist areas such as energy technology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, architecture and urban development. ... more
Drying with open sorption processes
A junior research group investigated heat and material transfer to an aqueous solution of lithium chloride. Such salt solutions can be used for air conditioning in buildings or waste heat. At the same time it serves as an energy storage. In addition to the salt solutions young researchers testing and synthesizing new sorbents. Also system simulations for building heating and air conditioning are planned in addition to drying applications. ... more
Latent heat storage for central heating
Scientists at the Institute of Thermodynamics and Thermal Engineering at the University of Stuttgart developed with partners in the project EnErChem a thermochemical energy storage for building heating ins ingle-family and multi-family houses. A demonstration plant shows that the memory can withstand under real conditions. ... more
Sorptive heat storage using activated carbon
Activated carbon can be produced from a large variety of carbonaceous source materials. Different methods have also been established for the process steps of carbonization and activation for use in commercial applications. In the project HyAcitv researchers optimize activated carbons and in a further step, molded articles are produced for use in open sorption systems. The application of these moldings is demonstrated in a laboratory storage system. .
.. more
Storing heat in mines
What happens to mines that are no longer in use? Could they be used to store heat? Researchers at the International Geothermal Centre are hoping to find out whether mines could be put to this use and are conducting tests in the former Prosper-Haniel hard-coal mine in the Ruhr region to investigate whether it is suitable for heat storage. .
.. moreshort-term storage
Cooling of buildings using new salthydrates
In the project PC-Cools_V two new phase change materials (PCM) on a salthydrate basis with a narrow melting range around 21°C and around 15°C are developed. The latter was intended for the implementation in central cold storages whereas the PCM melting at 21°C was designed for a decentral, room integrated storage application, especially cooling ceilings. ... more
Foundry using waste heat of the furnace
In energy-intensive industries, e.g. foundry industry or cement industry, the use of waste heat for example as process or space heating energy reduces the consumption of primary energy. In the Project “IAST” researchers are testing an energy storage system for discontinuous industrial waste heat of a furnace at a foundry. The implementation and commissioning is expected to start at the end of 2014. ... more
„SALSA“ makes steam and waste heat useable
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Novatec Solar and Köllemann are developed a salt-based latent heat storage called SALSA. This is to used for waste heat recovery in industrial processes. In the end of 2016, the storage was integrated and tested in the southern Spanish power plant PE1. ... more
Heat storage in smallest volume
Thermochemical heat storage can achieve low cost because of its higher specific energy density as compared with conventional heat storage materials. However, the thermal conductivity of the material is limited. Therefore, scientists at the Fraunhofer UMSICHT developed new thermochemical storage materials. The researchers intend to increase the thermal conductivity of solids, specifically through the addition of special additives. ... more
