Investigation of ventilation-coupled high energy density sensible thermal energy storage

James, Nelson; Huang, Ransisi; Woods, Jason; Kozubal, Eric

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125576

Title: Investigation of ventilation-coupled high energy density sensible thermal energy storage

Journal Article · 28 February 2025 · Applied Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125576 · OSTI ID:2545695

James, Nelson ^[1]; Huang, Ransisi ^[1]; Woods, Jason ^[1]; Kozubal, Eric ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Low-cost energy storage will play an important role in supporting the decarbonization of the energy sector. Here, a novel approach to thermal energy storage for buildings is proposed, in which a tank of antifreeze liquid can be used to heat outdoor air in mechanical ventilation systems. If heated to a high enough temperature, the fluid can potentially undergo temperature swings of nearly 100°C during discharge in cold climates. Because the energy density of sensible storage systems scales proportionally to the system temperature change, this concept has the potential to offer higher energy densities than other liquid-based sensible storage devices used in building applications. A one-dimensional numerical model of the storage system was developed and experimentally validated using 30 wt% (wt%) potassium acetate as an aqueous antifreeze solution. Using a commercial hot water tank, energy densities of 47.0 kW-hour per cubic meter (kWh/m³) were demonstrated in a laboratory setting. Material energy densities of approximately 74.7 (kWh/m³) were measured. Design improvements may boost this energy storage density even further. Because of the system's relative simplicity, ventilation-coupled sensible storage has the potential to be an easily deployable, low-cost energy storage solution for building systems.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2545695

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5500-90820; MainId:92598; UUID:81fc4aed-e808-4d91-89ad-94b5af0da949; MainAdminId:76230

Journal Information:: Applied Energy, Journal Name: Applied Energy Vol. 387; ISSN 0306-2619

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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