Phase Change Materials (PCM) in Horizon Europe Project for Sustainability
In the pursuit of a sustainable and greener future, it is crucial to explore innovative technologies for optimizing energy usage, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing energy system efficiency. Thermal energy storage (TES) and phase change materials (PCM) are pivotal solutions emerging in this context, promising to transform the energy landscape. Horizon Europe project partners, including ECHO, BEST-Storage, HYSTORE PROJECT EU, and the ThumbsUp project, where Pluss Advanced Technologies is a PCM project partner, are actively contributing to research and innovation in this field.
The Significance of Thermal Energy Storage (TES)
Thermal energy storage involves capturing excess thermal energy produced during low-demand periods and storing it for later use when energy demand is high. This technology addresses the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, ensuring a consistent energy supply. TES systems play a crucial role in enhancing the overall efficiency of energy production and consumption by bridging the gap between energy generation and demand.
Advantages of Phase Change Materials (PCM)
A promising approach within TES is the utilization of phase change materials (PCMs). PCMs, substances capable of storing and releasing thermal energy during phase transitions, such as melting and solidification, offer significant advantages. Their unique property allows them to store substantial energy within a narrow temperature range, making them ideal for various TES applications. Integrating PCMs into energy storage systems enhances efficiency by minimizing temperature fluctuations and improving overall thermal performance through the heat absorbed or released during phase changes.
Collaborative Advancements: Thermal Energy Storage Joint Workshop in Savona, Italy
Emphasizing the spirit of collaboration and knowledge exchange, the teams from ECHO, BEST-Storage, HYSTORE PROJECT EU, and ThumbsUp with Pluss Advanced Technologies are poised to gather at a Thermal Energy Storage Joint Workshop. Set for September 6, 2023, in Savona, Italy, this workshop underscores collective efforts to propel thermal energy storage and PCM technologies towards a sustainable future. With participation from experts, researchers, and industry pioneers across various disciplines, the event aims to facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas, insights, and expertise.
The workshop’s agenda features presentations on research findings, practical applications, and advancements achieved through the respective projects. The collaborative nature of the event mirrors a shared commitment to addressing energy challenges, optimizing energy systems, and expediting the adoption of innovative solutions. Furthermore, the opportunity for project teams to interact, share experiences, and learn from each other’s successes and challenges underscores the importance of a cohesive and united approach to sustainable energy transformation.
By fostering interactions among these influential projects, the Thermal Energy Storage Joint Workshop in Savona seeks to magnify the impact of individual efforts. Anticipated outcomes include the generation of new ideas, the promotion of cross-project collaborations, and the inspiration for further innovation in the realms of thermal energy storage and PCM technologies.
Plan a Meeting with Pluss
From Pluss Advanced Technologies both our director Jan van Acquoij and our principal scientists Nidhi Agrawal are participating in this Workshop. Make sure to pre-arrange a meeting with them in Savona by sending an email to Pluss. They will help you to get familiar with PCM and our company.
ECHO EU Project:
The objective of the ECHO project is to create and showcase innovative, modular, compact, high-performance, and Plug & Play thermal energy storage (TES) solutions. These solutions are designed for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water (DHW) production, with the added capability of electricity load shifting to significantly reduce peak demands for both thermal and electric loads.
The ECHO project plays a crucial role in thermal energy storage within the context of sector coupling and providing demand flexibility. The adaptable ECHO system is designed to suit various energetic scenarios and scales, making it applicable from small apartments to larger buildings.
These systems will be versatile, accommodating different energy sources and user requirements. They can be charged directly via an internal heat pump, utilizing excess electricity from the grid, or by connecting to renewable energy sources within the building.
BEST-Storage:
The focus of the BEST-Storage project, which stands for Building Energy Efficient System Through Short And Long Spectrum Thermal Energy Storage, is to advance battery and TES technologies for seamless integration of renewable energy. By optimizing energy storage solutions, the project aims to enhance grid stability and facilitate the smooth inclusion of variable energy sources in the overall energy mix.
Collaborating across academia, industry, and research institutions, BEST-Storage aims to expedite the shift toward a more sustainable energy system. The project will develop and demonstrate long and short-term high-energy density storage solutions in four demo cases across Europe.
BEST-Storage will introduce a thermo-chemical and loss-free storage technology for seasonal storage. Additionally, two phase change materials slurry concepts and a vacuum-insulated water storage will be developed for cold and warm applications, respectively, with the goal of shifting peak load demands. Finally, the project will integrate these storage solutions into smart building energy management systems featuring model predictive controls to reduce operational costs for short-term applications.
HYSTORE PROJECT EU:
The HYSTORE project aims to create and validate an innovative set of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) concepts. These concepts leverage cutting-edge technology components, including an ALL-IN-ONE Phase Change Material (PCM) solution, a LOW-TEMP PCM HEATING&COOLING solution, a PCM HEATING solution, and a Thermochemical Material (TCM) HEATING&COOLING solution. Each of these novel concepts serves various applications in heating/cooling (H/C), DHW configurations, and establishes optimal conditions for hybrid energy and power services. This is made possible through the development of a smart aggregator and an open-source multi-service platform.
ThumbsUp:
The ThumbsUp project, in collaboration with Pluss Advanced Technologies as a PCM project partner, focuses on integrating PCM technology into building applications. ThumbsUp underscores the significance of thermal energy storage (TES) as a crucial technology for enhancing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in buildings. It supports the integration of renewable energy sources and facilitates sector coupling for power-to-heat.
The goal is to overcome the limitations of existing building-integrated technologies by showcasing TES solutions at daily and weekly levels that can be easily integrated into various types of EU buildings. This approach aims to enhance their energy efficiency and leverage Power-to-Heat (PtH) strategies, making EU buildings key players in grid flexibility. Throughout the project, innovative PCM and TCM solutions (FractLES and sorTES) will be developed, covering the entire process from design to implementation. The objective is to ensure seamless TES integration in different building areas, targeting high energy density storages at competitive costs.
The collaboration between ThumbsUp and Pluss Advanced Technologies exemplifies the practical implementation of PCM technology in everyday contexts, highlighting its crucial role in achieving energy-efficient buildings.
