Lämpönsäilytyksessä

Lämpönsäilytys, commonly translated as thermal storage or heat storage, refers to the process of retaining thermal energy for later use. This can be achieved by heating a storage medium and then releasing the stored heat when needed. Various materials can be employed for heat storage, including water, phase change materials (PCMs), and solid materials like rocks or concrete. The choice of storage medium depends on factors such as the required storage duration, temperature range, and available space.

The primary purpose of lämpönsäilytys is to improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on primary energy sources. By storing excess heat generated during periods of low demand or high availability, it can be utilized during periods of high demand or when renewable energy sources are not producing. This is particularly relevant for renewable energy systems like solar thermal, where heat is generated during sunny periods and may be needed at night or on cloudy days.

Applications of lämpönsäilytys are diverse. In buildings, it can be integrated into heating systems to store solar heat or waste heat from appliances, reducing the need for conventional heating. Industrial processes can benefit from storing waste heat to preheat materials or generate electricity. Furthermore, district heating systems can utilize large-scale thermal storage to balance supply and demand, leading to more stable and cost-effective heat distribution. The development of more efficient and cost-effective thermal storage solutions continues to be an active area of research and development.