Periodic Reporting for period 1 - THUMBS UP (Thermal energy storage solUtions to optimally Manage BuildingS and Unlock their grid balancing and flexibility Potential)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-04-30
THUMBS UP project aims to develop and demonstrate thermal energy storage (TES) at daily (based on PCM, FractLES solutions) and weekly level (based on TCM sorption technology, SorTES solutions) solutions to be easily integrate in EU buildings (both connected and not-connected to DHN) to increase their energy efficiency as well as to exploit Power-to-Heat approaches also to make EU Buildings as grid flexibility actors. The ambition of THUMBS UP is therefore to deeply demonstrate this technology in three demosites (a single-family building and two multi-family buildings) in different EU climates and energy market contexts, also to assess THUMBS UP replication potential in up to five replication sites. Via its demonstration and replication campaign, THUMBS UP promotes the role of TES as key enabling technologies to optimise thermal comfort and energy efficiency in buildings as well as to promote Power-to-heat as facilitator of RES grid integration in a sector coupling approach.
To achieve such overall objective, THUMBS UP will realise and demonstrate PCM and TCM based solutions with the following key metrics:
- Size: modular solutions from 3 to 100 kWh to guarantee TES integration in different building area.
- Energy Density: target 65 kWh/m3 for short-duration TES, 120 kWh/m3 for long duration TES (4 weeks after charge) at system level.
- Competitive costs: target 140 €/kWh for short duration TES and 200 €/kWh for long duration TES.
To achieve such overall objective, THUMBS UP will realise and demonstrate PCM and TCM based solutions with the following key metrics:
- Size: modular solutions from 3 to 100 kWh to guarantee TES integration in different building area.
- Energy Density: target 65 kWh/m3 for short-duration TES, 120 kWh/m3 for long duration TES (4 weeks after charge) at system level.
- Competitive costs: target 140 €/kWh for short duration TES and 200 €/kWh for long duration TES.
Modelling and simulation activities related to buildings and the integration of TES solutions within the facilities are being conducted and relevant validation plans are being defined. The building models and their corresponding installations are in an advanced stage. These models will form the foundation for developing the overall dynamic control system, which will be implemented and demonstrated in the buildings.
Simulation, testing, and manufacturing activities that are essential to design the FractLES unit as THUMBS UP storage solutions are pretty advanced. The integration conditions of the FractLES units at each demo site are being defined. In this context, simulation and experimental activities related to the design of innovative heat exchangers are being conducted. The optimal geometric design of the heat exchangers and the development of PCM materials are currently developed. These models will form the foundation for the manufacture of the FractLES unit, which will be implemented and demonstrated in each demo site.
Regarding SorTES related activities, efforts have been mainly spent on the development of the conceptual design of the solution and to the identification of the most efficient adsorbent composite material, considering not only the composition of the material itself, but also other relevant parameters such as the manufacturing process, the environmental impact, the corrosiveness potential, and the overall cost. A final decision on the best composition was made. The scaling-up process is under development. Regarding the components design, some possible heat exchangers technologies were investigated and first samples acquired to be tested in the lab. The numerical platform for the CFD simulation was defined and preliminary simulations performed to validate the model itself.
Demosite buildings are being prepared for the future installation of the project technologies, and the BEMS for their future implementation in the demosites is under development. A collection of conclusions and strategies obtained so far regarding the characteristics of the technologies and their applications has been compiled. An in-depth study of the capabilities and limiting conditions of the demonstration buildings has been conducted. Each demo case leader has shared relevant information about their buildings in constant interaction with the technology developers to meet the technology demonstration strategies.
The first replication/impact carried out studies have been to anticipate the creation of LCA/environmental inventory and to start to identify potentially interesting replication buildings. Furthermore, to define a “step by step/year by year” campaign of social acceptability assessment/tenants’ interaction, following the technological maturity/development of THUMBS UP Solution can collect insights from citizens. Data collection from already selected replication site has started to drive modelling activities also looking at potential modelling enhancements needed. Further demo buildings in countries currently “not covered” by official demo/replication sites are being evaluated also to explore the relevance of climatic and energy market conditions on the viability of THUMBS UP solutions. A social acceptance/tenants’ interaction campaign has been prepared, and a first survey has been designed and promoted to collect the “first glance” feedback about TES technologies in general among EU citizens.
Simulation, testing, and manufacturing activities that are essential to design the FractLES unit as THUMBS UP storage solutions are pretty advanced. The integration conditions of the FractLES units at each demo site are being defined. In this context, simulation and experimental activities related to the design of innovative heat exchangers are being conducted. The optimal geometric design of the heat exchangers and the development of PCM materials are currently developed. These models will form the foundation for the manufacture of the FractLES unit, which will be implemented and demonstrated in each demo site.
Regarding SorTES related activities, efforts have been mainly spent on the development of the conceptual design of the solution and to the identification of the most efficient adsorbent composite material, considering not only the composition of the material itself, but also other relevant parameters such as the manufacturing process, the environmental impact, the corrosiveness potential, and the overall cost. A final decision on the best composition was made. The scaling-up process is under development. Regarding the components design, some possible heat exchangers technologies were investigated and first samples acquired to be tested in the lab. The numerical platform for the CFD simulation was defined and preliminary simulations performed to validate the model itself.
Demosite buildings are being prepared for the future installation of the project technologies, and the BEMS for their future implementation in the demosites is under development. A collection of conclusions and strategies obtained so far regarding the characteristics of the technologies and their applications has been compiled. An in-depth study of the capabilities and limiting conditions of the demonstration buildings has been conducted. Each demo case leader has shared relevant information about their buildings in constant interaction with the technology developers to meet the technology demonstration strategies.
The first replication/impact carried out studies have been to anticipate the creation of LCA/environmental inventory and to start to identify potentially interesting replication buildings. Furthermore, to define a “step by step/year by year” campaign of social acceptability assessment/tenants’ interaction, following the technological maturity/development of THUMBS UP Solution can collect insights from citizens. Data collection from already selected replication site has started to drive modelling activities also looking at potential modelling enhancements needed. Further demo buildings in countries currently “not covered” by official demo/replication sites are being evaluated also to explore the relevance of climatic and energy market conditions on the viability of THUMBS UP solutions. A social acceptance/tenants’ interaction campaign has been prepared, and a first survey has been designed and promoted to collect the “first glance” feedback about TES technologies in general among EU citizens.
THUMBS UP TES:
- will be compact, reliable, cost effective and easy-to-install. FractLES and SorTES systems guarantee high density (up to 65 kWh/m3 and 120 kWh/m3 respectively) and modularity. They will be tested in different climates and conditions (both connected and non-connected buildings – single family, multi family, tertiary buildings), also to facilitate building integration in DHNs. Thanks to THUMBS UP systems RES equipped buildings will also have a lower impact on both electric and thermal grid.
- will have relevant energy density that will enable the realisation of compact solutions (Modular TES “wardrobe”/thermal battery) at different scale (to be installed in flats/rooms, basement/technical rooms, horizontal/vertical distribution) and easily coupable to HP and low temperature distribution H&C solutions. It will be studied how to “pre-assembly” as much as possible the systems to minimise installation periods as comparable as boiler ones. The absence of hazardous fluids/materials will guarantee the potential installation everywhere in a building without special permits.
- will enable PtH approach at hourly/daily/weekly level, facilitating peak shifting of RES (both thermal and PV) as well as potential heat interexchange with DHN and other buildings. Aggregation of TES at building (if distributed in flats/levels) and district level, will make buildings as grid flexibility actors to maximise RES penetration and exploitation and reduce grid bothering.
- aims to realise cost competitive TES solutions targeting 140 €/kWh for FractLES/short duration TES and 200 €/kWh for SorTES/long duration TES. Thanks to THUMBS UP TES local heating system will operate at higher efficiency, local RES will be better exploited and buildings could sell heat to DHN and grid flexibility services to DSO, thus driving to a PBP lower than 8 yrs at building level.
- will be compact, reliable, cost effective and easy-to-install. FractLES and SorTES systems guarantee high density (up to 65 kWh/m3 and 120 kWh/m3 respectively) and modularity. They will be tested in different climates and conditions (both connected and non-connected buildings – single family, multi family, tertiary buildings), also to facilitate building integration in DHNs. Thanks to THUMBS UP systems RES equipped buildings will also have a lower impact on both electric and thermal grid.
- will have relevant energy density that will enable the realisation of compact solutions (Modular TES “wardrobe”/thermal battery) at different scale (to be installed in flats/rooms, basement/technical rooms, horizontal/vertical distribution) and easily coupable to HP and low temperature distribution H&C solutions. It will be studied how to “pre-assembly” as much as possible the systems to minimise installation periods as comparable as boiler ones. The absence of hazardous fluids/materials will guarantee the potential installation everywhere in a building without special permits.
- will enable PtH approach at hourly/daily/weekly level, facilitating peak shifting of RES (both thermal and PV) as well as potential heat interexchange with DHN and other buildings. Aggregation of TES at building (if distributed in flats/levels) and district level, will make buildings as grid flexibility actors to maximise RES penetration and exploitation and reduce grid bothering.
- aims to realise cost competitive TES solutions targeting 140 €/kWh for FractLES/short duration TES and 200 €/kWh for SorTES/long duration TES. Thanks to THUMBS UP TES local heating system will operate at higher efficiency, local RES will be better exploited and buildings could sell heat to DHN and grid flexibility services to DSO, thus driving to a PBP lower than 8 yrs at building level.