Lämpövarastoissa

Lämpövarastoissa, or thermal storage, refers to systems designed to store thermal energy for later use. This stored heat can be generated from various sources, including solar energy, waste heat from industrial processes, or electricity. The primary purpose of thermal storage is to bridge the gap between when energy is generated and when it is needed, improving energy efficiency and grid stability.

There are several types of thermal storage systems. Sensible heat storage relies on changing the temperature of a material to store heat. Common materials include water, concrete, or molten salts. Latent heat storage utilizes phase change materials (PCMs) that absorb or release heat during their melting or freezing process. Thermochemical storage stores heat through reversible chemical reactions.

Applications for thermal storage are diverse. In buildings, it can be used for space heating and cooling, reducing reliance on conventional heating and cooling systems and enabling the use of off-peak electricity. In industrial settings, waste heat can be captured and stored for process heating, leading to significant energy savings. Solar thermal power plants often incorporate thermal storage to provide electricity even when the sun is not shining.

The benefits of thermal storage include increased energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved grid reliability by balancing supply and demand, and potential cost savings. Research and development continue to focus on improving the efficiency, capacity, and cost-effectiveness of various thermal storage technologies.