Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RESTORE (Renewable Energy based seasonal Storage Technology in Order to Raise Economic and environmental sustainability of DHC)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-10-01 al 2023-03-31
The project proposes a radically innovative solution for decarbonising the heating and cooling sector, and thus promoting a solution to tackle the climate change. This solution is based on the combination of two key innovative technologies. The concept allows integrating a wide variety of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) combined with competitive seasonal storage in District Heating and Cooling (DHC) networks, enabling them to be 100% renewable to radically improve their environmental sustainability.
The first technology the project aims to develop is an innovative thermal energy storage system using heat from chemical reactions, the Thermochemical Energy Storage (TCES). It provides daily and seasonal competitive energy storage due to its high energy density, very low energy losses and its low-cost. The system represents a key development due to the fact that it allows harnessing the enormous amount of energy that is normally wasted due to the mismatch between energy demand (loads) and energy generation (related to the availability of the renewable resource or waste heat), mainly occurring between seasons.
In addition, the project aims to develop a second technology, namely a reversible Heat Pump (HP) /Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and to combine it with the TCES system. This second technology adapts the energy from different Renewable Energy Sources to feed the storage system. This allows for integrating a wide variety of renewable technologies as well as waste heat into the whole system to finally supply the energy demand under the specific conditions laid down by each District Heating network.
This radically innovative solution would tackle the main barriers for a wide deployment of renewable energy technologies and waste heat in the existing and future DHC networks. The project considers the experimental validation of the RESTORE concept and also the demonstration of the concept replicability potential, adapting and optimizing the proposed solution to different real sites (different network conditions and local particularities as the available renewable technologies/waste heat) spread over the EU, and quantifying its potential benefits via Virtual Use-Cases.
The first technology the project aims to develop is an innovative thermal energy storage system using heat from chemical reactions, the Thermochemical Energy Storage (TCES). It provides daily and seasonal competitive energy storage due to its high energy density, very low energy losses and its low-cost. The system represents a key development due to the fact that it allows harnessing the enormous amount of energy that is normally wasted due to the mismatch between energy demand (loads) and energy generation (related to the availability of the renewable resource or waste heat), mainly occurring between seasons.
In addition, the project aims to develop a second technology, namely a reversible Heat Pump (HP) /Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and to combine it with the TCES system. This second technology adapts the energy from different Renewable Energy Sources to feed the storage system. This allows for integrating a wide variety of renewable technologies as well as waste heat into the whole system to finally supply the energy demand under the specific conditions laid down by each District Heating network.
This radically innovative solution would tackle the main barriers for a wide deployment of renewable energy technologies and waste heat in the existing and future DHC networks. The project considers the experimental validation of the RESTORE concept and also the demonstration of the concept replicability potential, adapting and optimizing the proposed solution to different real sites (different network conditions and local particularities as the available renewable technologies/waste heat) spread over the EU, and quantifying its potential benefits via Virtual Use-Cases.
During the first phase of the project, a wide range of activities has been conducted. The most significant ones are outlined as follows:
Firstly, the requirements and specifications of the overall concept have been defined through a datasheet template and a comprehensive list of requirements for each component involved in the RESTORE overall system. Continuous risk analyses have been performed to ensure the correct implementation of the project. Furthermore, the definition of requirements for the project prototypes, namely the reversible cycle and the thermochemical storage, along with the virtual simulation platform, is currently underway.
Methodologies and preliminary tools for assessing the RESTORE innovative solution, including environmental, social, and economic evaluations, have been established. In the context of thermochemical storage, experimental tests have been conducted at the TU-Wien laboratories. More than six different thermochemical materials have been subjected to batch-type experiments under various charging and discharging conditions. Additionally, an innovative small continuous reactor has been designed and constructed to test the energy storage system's continuous operation. This reactor will be key in optimizing the system and will be scaled up in subsequent project phases. Furthermore, models of the thermodynamic cycles have been developed, and several simulations have been performed to further enhance the efficiency of the RESTORE solution.
Prior to designing the reversible Organic Rankine prototype, preliminary work has been carried out to ensure its feasibility, reversibility, and compatibility with the laboratories of Politecnico di Milano, where the prototype will be tested. Moreover, for the simulation platform where the use cases will be implemented, the RESTORE library has been defined, encompassing models of components associated with the RESTORE system. Additionally, a web platform for simulating cases online has been developed.
An initial exploitation strategy has been defined, and a technology watch process has been conducted, including activities such as identifying relevant patents and technologies, conducting trademark research scans, monitoring the state of the art, and keeping track of emerging scientific breakthroughs, as well as searching for relevant projects and potential competitors. Furthermore, an external group of experts and stakeholders has been established to provide guidance to the project. The monitoring of EU regulations and standards that the RESTORE system must comply with has also been carried out.
Regarding dissemination and communication, a comprehensive plan has been formulated. The RESTORE website and accounts on various social media platforms have been established. Multiple presentations have been delivered at national and international conferences, and the identification and classification of stakeholders have been completed.
Firstly, the requirements and specifications of the overall concept have been defined through a datasheet template and a comprehensive list of requirements for each component involved in the RESTORE overall system. Continuous risk analyses have been performed to ensure the correct implementation of the project. Furthermore, the definition of requirements for the project prototypes, namely the reversible cycle and the thermochemical storage, along with the virtual simulation platform, is currently underway.
Methodologies and preliminary tools for assessing the RESTORE innovative solution, including environmental, social, and economic evaluations, have been established. In the context of thermochemical storage, experimental tests have been conducted at the TU-Wien laboratories. More than six different thermochemical materials have been subjected to batch-type experiments under various charging and discharging conditions. Additionally, an innovative small continuous reactor has been designed and constructed to test the energy storage system's continuous operation. This reactor will be key in optimizing the system and will be scaled up in subsequent project phases. Furthermore, models of the thermodynamic cycles have been developed, and several simulations have been performed to further enhance the efficiency of the RESTORE solution.
Prior to designing the reversible Organic Rankine prototype, preliminary work has been carried out to ensure its feasibility, reversibility, and compatibility with the laboratories of Politecnico di Milano, where the prototype will be tested. Moreover, for the simulation platform where the use cases will be implemented, the RESTORE library has been defined, encompassing models of components associated with the RESTORE system. Additionally, a web platform for simulating cases online has been developed.
An initial exploitation strategy has been defined, and a technology watch process has been conducted, including activities such as identifying relevant patents and technologies, conducting trademark research scans, monitoring the state of the art, and keeping track of emerging scientific breakthroughs, as well as searching for relevant projects and potential competitors. Furthermore, an external group of experts and stakeholders has been established to provide guidance to the project. The monitoring of EU regulations and standards that the RESTORE system must comply with has also been carried out.
Regarding dissemination and communication, a comprehensive plan has been formulated. The RESTORE website and accounts on various social media platforms have been established. Multiple presentations have been delivered at national and international conferences, and the identification and classification of stakeholders have been completed.
RESTORE project proposes to develop a technical solution able to overcome the current technological barriers that limit the penetration of RES in the DHC sector. Proposed technology allows to significantly increase the RES share and the reuse of energy waste from industry in DHC networks improving their competitiveness and environmental sustainability and promoting the involvement of stakeholder, consumers and industries eventually meeting the targets of the EU strategy for Heating and Cooling and the EU’s climate and energy goals.
The restore concept, named as Pumped Thermal Storage (PTS) is based on the combination of two innovative technologies: a Thermo-Chemical Energy Storage (TCES) and a non- conventional power system based on Heat Pumps and Organic Rankine Cycles (HP/ORC).
● A competitive solution for energy storage to tackle mismatch between energy demand and energy availability from renewable technologies or waste excess heat on seasonal base. RESTORE adopts high energy density TC storage which allows dispatching large amounts of thermal energy from summer to winter by means of storing solids at ambient temperature with no heat losses and low investment cost. The expected outcome is to nearly double the amount of energy provided for district heating with the same RES availability with market positive effects on equipment capacity factors and system economics.
● A combination of different RES and WEH maximizing synergies to supply the energy demand. RESTORE adopts a non-conventional power cycle based on pumped heat concept for charging and discharging the TCES able to integrate any kind of available RES (both electrical and thermal based) and WEH, limiting the waste of useful energy during hot season, and thus improving current and future DHC networks environmental sustainability, facilitating the integration of energy sources non-based on the use of-fossil fuels.
The project plans to demonstrate the technology at lab scale, carried out its assessment in environmental, economic and social aspects as well as develop a simulation platform where 6 different use cases will be implemented and simulation in order to study and analyze the impact of the RESTORE solution under several scenarios.
The restore concept, named as Pumped Thermal Storage (PTS) is based on the combination of two innovative technologies: a Thermo-Chemical Energy Storage (TCES) and a non- conventional power system based on Heat Pumps and Organic Rankine Cycles (HP/ORC).
● A competitive solution for energy storage to tackle mismatch between energy demand and energy availability from renewable technologies or waste excess heat on seasonal base. RESTORE adopts high energy density TC storage which allows dispatching large amounts of thermal energy from summer to winter by means of storing solids at ambient temperature with no heat losses and low investment cost. The expected outcome is to nearly double the amount of energy provided for district heating with the same RES availability with market positive effects on equipment capacity factors and system economics.
● A combination of different RES and WEH maximizing synergies to supply the energy demand. RESTORE adopts a non-conventional power cycle based on pumped heat concept for charging and discharging the TCES able to integrate any kind of available RES (both electrical and thermal based) and WEH, limiting the waste of useful energy during hot season, and thus improving current and future DHC networks environmental sustainability, facilitating the integration of energy sources non-based on the use of-fossil fuels.
The project plans to demonstrate the technology at lab scale, carried out its assessment in environmental, economic and social aspects as well as develop a simulation platform where 6 different use cases will be implemented and simulation in order to study and analyze the impact of the RESTORE solution under several scenarios.