Lämpöakkujärjestelmä

Lämpöakkujärjestelmä, known in English as a thermal battery system, is a technology designed to store thermal energy for later use. This stored heat can then be released to provide heating or cooling when needed. The primary function is to decouple heat generation from heat consumption, allowing for more efficient use of energy resources.

These systems typically consist of an insulated storage medium, such as water, molten salt, or phase-change materials (PCMs). When excess heat is available, for example from solar thermal collectors, industrial waste heat, or during off-peak electricity hours for electric heating, it is transferred to the storage medium. The medium absorbs and retains this thermal energy. Later, when there is a demand for heat, the stored energy is extracted from the medium and delivered to the heating or cooling system.

Lämpöakkujärjestelmät offer several benefits. They can improve energy efficiency by utilizing surplus heat that would otherwise be lost. They also contribute to grid stability by shifting energy demand away from peak times. Furthermore, they can enhance the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar thermal power, by providing a buffer for intermittent generation. Applications range from residential heating and cooling to large-scale industrial processes and district heating networks. The specific type of storage medium and system design is chosen based on factors like required storage capacity, temperature range, and cost-effectiveness.