lämmönvarastoinnin

Lämmönvarastointi, or thermal energy storage (TES), is a technology that allows thermal energy collected at one time for use at a later time. This is a form of energy storage. TES systems can store heat at high temperatures or cold at low temperatures. Stored thermal energy can be used for heating or cooling applications, or for electric power generation.

The purpose of heat storage is to balance the difference between the supply of heat and the demand for heat. Heat can be stored for a few hours, a day, or even for seasonal periods. Different materials and methods are used for storing heat, depending on the temperature range and storage duration. Common storage media include water, molten salts, and phase change materials (PCMs). Water tanks are widely used for short-term storage of low-temperature heat, such as in solar heating systems. Molten salts are suitable for storing high-temperature heat, often used in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. Phase change materials can store and release large amounts of latent heat at a specific temperature, making them useful for a variety of applications.

Applications of lämmönvarastointi are diverse. It is used in buildings to store solar heat for space heating and hot water, reducing reliance on conventional heating systems and lowering energy costs. In industrial processes, TES can capture waste heat for reuse, improving energy efficiency. In power generation, particularly with renewable energy sources like solar, TES enables continuous operation even when the energy source is intermittent. This helps to stabilize the grid and ensure a reliable supply of electricity. The development of efficient and cost-effective TES technologies is crucial for the transition to a sustainable energy future.