lämmönvarastoijana

Lämmönvarastoijana, meaning "heat accumulator" or "thermal storage" in Finnish, refers to a system or material designed to store thermal energy for later use. These systems are crucial for improving energy efficiency in buildings and industrial processes by capturing heat when it is abundant or cheap, and releasing it when needed.

Common types of heat accumulators include water tanks, phase change materials (PCMs), and sensible heat storage systems using solids like rocks or concrete. Water tanks are perhaps the simplest form, storing heat by increasing the temperature of the water. Phase change materials absorb or release large amounts of heat when they change state, for example, from solid to liquid. Sensible heat storage relies on the material's ability to absorb heat without changing its state, simply by increasing its temperature.

The primary purpose of a lämmönvarastoijana is to bridge the gap between heat generation and heat demand. This is particularly useful in conjunction with intermittent renewable energy sources like solar thermal collectors or geothermal systems, allowing for heat availability even when the sun is not shining or when the ground temperature is less favorable. In buildings, heat accumulators can store excess heat from heating systems, solar gains, or even waste heat from appliances, reducing the need for primary energy during peak demand periods. This can lead to significant cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint. Industrial applications often involve storing waste heat from manufacturing processes, which can then be reused for preheating raw materials or generating electricity.