Efficiency Comparison by Type of Thermal Energy Storage
- Sensible Heat Storage: This is relatively inexpensive and often uses water or molten salts as heat transfer fluids. Efficiencies typically range from 50% to 90%.
- Phase Change Materials (PCMs): These materials store energy through a solid-liquid phase change, achieving efficiencies from 75% to 90%.
- Thermo-Chemical Storage (TCS): TCS systems can reach efficiencies from 75% to nearly 100% by storing energy through chemical reactions.
Specific Technologies and Efficiencies
- KTH’s Radial Flow Packed-Bed System: This system uses hot air and materials like pebbles or copper slags, achieving thermal efficiencies over 90%.
- ThermalBattery™ by ENERGYNEST: This technology claims an efficiency of over 98%, utilizing cost-effective materials and providing a high level of scalability and recyclability.
Heat Transfer Fluids and Their Impact
While specific heat transfer fluids can influence efficiency, the overall system design and insulation play more critical roles in determining the efficiency of thermal energy storage systems.
In summary, the efficiency of thermal energy storage systems can range widely from about 50% to over 98%, depending on the technology and design of the system rather than the specific heat transfer fluid used. Advances in materials and designs are continuously improving these efficiencies.
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