Next Generation Energy Solutions Thermal Energy Storage

As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of energy management, Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems are emerging as a game-changer for industrial customers. By leveraging TES, businesses can significantly reduce energy costs, enhance operational resilience, and improve their environmental footprint.

Unlocking the Potential of Thermal Energy Storage

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems are revolutionizing the way industrial facilities manage their cooling needs, offering significant cost savings, operational advantages, and environmental benefits. By leveraging TES, businesses can not only reduce their energy bills but also enhance their sustainability and resilience.

How Thermal Energy Storage Works:

TES systems store excess thermal energy for later use, typically by producing ice or chilled water during off-peak hours. Common types include ice storage, chilled water storage, and phase change materials.

These systems integrate seamlessly with existing chillers and HVAC equipment, allowing for smaller overall mechanical systems.

The basic operation involves:

  • Off-Peak Production: During nighttime, the system uses electricity to freeze water or cool a storage medium.
  • Peak Hour Displacement: During daytime, this stored cooling displaces mechanical cooling needs.
STORAGE

Key Benefits of TES

Cost Savings

Reduced Peak Demand Charges: Often 30-50% of utility bills. Off-Peak Cooling Production: Shift cooling to times when energy rates are typically 30-70% lower. Downsizing Mechanical Equipment: Smaller chillers reduce capital and operational costs.

Operational Advantages

Improved System Reliability: Redundant cooling capacity enhances system reliability. Extended Equipment Life: Reduced cycling and peak operation extend equipment lifespan. Buffer Against Power Interruptions: Emergency cooling capacity during grid outages or brownouts.

Environmental Benefits

Reduced Carbon Footprint: Shift energy use to times when the grid is cleaner. Lower Refrigerant Use: Smaller mechanical systems reduce refrigerant consumption. Support for Renewable Energy: Manage load timing to support renewable energy integration.

Resilience

Emergency Cooling Capacity: Maintain operations during grid outages or brownouts. Demand Response Events: Continue operations during demand response events. Protection Against Energy Price Volatility: Future-proof your cooling needs against rising energy costs.

ROI and Payback Period:

A properly sized TES system typically delivers payback periods of 3-7 years with an ROI between 15-25%, depending on local utility rate structures and operational patterns.

Thermal Energy Storage Solutions

TPI Efficiency’s Role

  • Assessment and Strategy Development:
    TPI Efficiency can conduct energy audits and assessments to identify areas where TES can benefit most. They develop customized energy management strategies tailored to each client’s needs and goals.

     

  • Implementation Support:
    TPI’s team assists in implementing TES solutions, which may involve integrating TES systems with existing HVAC equipment to optimize performance and reduce mechanical system sizes.

     

  • Ongoing Monitoring and Optimization:
    TPI provides continuous support to ensure the effectiveness of implemented TES strategies, including tracking energy consumption and making adjustments as needed.

Additional Solutions

  • Energy Efficiency Services:
    TPI offers a range of energy efficiency services, including HVAC upgrades and building management systems, which can complement TES installations.

  • Sustainability Solutions:
    By reducing energy consumption and emissions, TPI helps businesses achieve their sustainability goals, which aligns with the environmental benefits of TES systems

TPI Efficiency can help businesses maximize the benefits of on-site Thermal Energy Storage by integrating it into a broader energy management scheme that enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and supports sustainability goals.

Electricity Explained

EIA: Energy Storage for Electricity Generation

An energy storage system (ESS) for electricity generation uses electricity (or some other energy source, such as solar-thermal energy) to charge an energy storage system or device, which is discharged to supply (generate) electricity when needed at desired levels and quality. ESSs provide a variety of services to support electric power grids. In some cases, ESSs may be paired or co-located with other generation resources to improve the economic efficiency of one or both systems.

Types of energy storage systems for electricity generation

The five types of ESSs in commercial use in the United States, in order of total power generation capacity as of the end of 2022 are:

  • Pumped-storage hydroelectric
  • Batteries (electro-chemical)
  • Solar electric with thermal energy storage
  • Compressed-air storage
  • Flywheels

Other types of ESSs that are in various stages of research, development, and commercialization include capacitors and super-conducting magnetic storage.

Hydrogen, when produced by electrolysis and used to generate electricity, could be considered a form of energy storage for electricity generation. Thermal ice-storage systems use electricity during the night to make ice in a large vessel, which is used for cooling buildings during the day to avoid or reduce purchasing electricity when electricity is usually more expensive.

Electricity generation capacity of energy storage systems

Two basic ratings for ESS electricity generation capacity are:

Power capacity—the maximum instantaneous amount of electric power that can be generated continuously and is measured in units of watts (kilowatts [kW], megawatts [MW], or gigawatts [GW])

Energy capacity—the total amount of energy that can be stored in or discharged from the storage system and is measured in units of watthours (kilowatt-hours [kWh], megawatt-hours [MWh], or gigawatt hours [GWh])

 

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