HEATrepeat

HEATrepeat is a concept for modular, reversible thermal energy storage and management intended to balance heating and cooling demand with supply from variable sources such as solar and wind. The idea is to charge storage during periods of surplus and discharge when demand rises, creating a repeating cycle of heat storage and release.

The approach uses repeated charging and discharging cycles and may employ phase-change materials or sensible storage media, integrated with heat pumps or sorption devices. Modules called repeat units are connected to form scalable networks tailored to a site’s load profile.

Key components include storage modules, a heat-exchange network, sensors, and control software. The charge phase stores energy by raising temperature or by converting heat to latent energy; the discharge phase returns heat when it is needed, with controls optimizing efficiency and cycling.

Applications include building heating and cooling, district energy systems, industrial process heat, and resilience-focused microgrids that can operate with intermittent renewable generation.

Benefits may include reduced peak electricity demand, higher use of renewables, and improved grid resilience. Challenges encompass material cost and durability, thermal losses, system integration, and the economics of storage versus alternative solutions.

Status and research: HEATrepeat remains primarily at the concept and pilot-stage, with ongoing studies examining materials, cycle life, control algorithms, and integration with existing energy infrastructure.

Related topics include thermal energy storage, phase-change materials, district heating, and energy management.