Wärmespeicherungen

Wärmespeicherungen, also known as thermal energy storage, refers to technologies and methods that capture heat energy for later use. This stored heat can originate from various sources, including solar thermal energy, waste heat from industrial processes, or even surplus electricity converted to heat. The primary goal of Wärmespeicherungen is to decouple heat generation from heat demand, improving energy efficiency and enabling the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources.

There are several common types of Wärmespeicherungen. Sensible heat storage utilizes the temperature change of a storage medium to store heat. Common materials include water, molten salts, and rocks. Latent heat storage relies on the phase change of a material, such as melting or solidifying, to absorb or release large amounts of heat at a relatively constant temperature. Phase change materials (PCMs) are typically used for this purpose. Thermochemical storage involves reversible chemical reactions that absorb or release heat. This method can offer higher energy densities but is often more complex.

Applications for Wärmespeicherungen are diverse. In buildings, they can store heat from solar collectors or off-peak electricity to provide space heating and hot water. Industrially, they can capture waste heat to preheat process streams or generate electricity. In district heating systems, Wärmespeicherungen help balance supply and demand, making the system more resilient and efficient. The development of advanced Wärmespeicherungen is a key area of research for enhancing energy system flexibility and sustainability.