Lämpösäilytysmenetelmät

Lämpösäilytysmenetelmät (Heat storage methods) refer to techniques and technologies used to store thermal energy for later use. This stored heat can originate from various sources, such as solar energy, waste heat from industrial processes, or even electricity generated at times of low demand. The primary goal of thermal energy storage is to improve energy efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and enhance the reliability of energy supply.

Several types of thermal energy storage exist, broadly categorized by the physical principle they utilize. Sensible heat storage relies on changing the temperature of a storage medium without altering its phase. Common materials for sensible heat storage include water, rocks, concrete, and molten salts. Latent heat storage, on the other hand, involves the phase change of a material, such as melting or solidifying, at a specific temperature. This phase change allows for the storage of larger amounts of energy within a smaller volume compared to sensible heat storage. Phase change materials (PCMs) are key to this method. Thermochemical heat storage utilizes reversible chemical reactions to store and release heat. This method offers the potential for very high energy densities and long-term storage capabilities, but it is often more complex and expensive to implement.

Applications of thermal energy storage are diverse. They are used in buildings for heating and cooling, enabling the use of solar thermal energy collected during the day to provide warmth at night or to cool spaces during hot periods. In industrial settings, waste heat can be captured and stored for reuse in other processes, leading to significant energy savings. Electricity grids can also benefit from thermal storage, particularly when coupled with concentrated solar power plants, allowing electricity generation to continue even when the sun is not shining. The choice of a specific heat storage method depends on factors such as the required storage capacity, temperature range, duration of storage, and economic considerations.