Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage
- $1.96m Funded by ARENA
- $4.95m Total project cost
Summary
The Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage project aims to demonstrate the technical and economic value of thermal energy storage using phase change material (PCM) and renewable energy optimisation in commercial and industrial heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R).
Need
Many HVAC-R end users are investing in solar PV to control rising energy costs. Some have also investigated adding battery storage in conjunction with solar PV but have found these forms of energy storage not economically viable for their circumstances. For these, the lack of economically-viable energy storage and other smart technology, to help bridge the gap between renewable energy and heating / cooling loads, is a significant hurdle preventing industry transformation from the existing heavy reliance on grid energy consumption for the sector.
This project consists of:
Project reports- ARENA media release 20/11/19
- Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage Case Study
- Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage Lessons Learnt 1
- Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage ReefHQ White Paper
- Thermal Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Uptake in Wineries White Paper
Learn more
Report: Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage ReefHQ White Paper
This White Paper investigates the role of latent heat Thermal Energy Storage (TES) in aquarium applications.
Report: Thermal Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Uptake in Wineries White Paper
This White Paper describes the use of thermal energy storage for renewable energy uptake in wineries.
Media Release: Cool Solution for Renewable Refrigeration
An innovative new cooling technology developed in South Australia will be trialled at food, agriculture and tourism businesses to help reduce their energy costs and emissions from heating and cooling.
Report: Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage Case Study
This case study shares information on the advanced control and forecasting algorithm (ACFA) implemented at the Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ Rowland Flat to control the charging and discharging of thermal energy storage.
Report: Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage Lessons Learnt 1
This lessons learnt report looks at an innovative new cooling technology that integrates renewable energy sources with low-cost thermal energy storage batteries.
Action
The project integrates novel Glaciem Phase Change Material technologies with solar PV and thermal energy storage (TES) in three different HVAC-R scenarios – process cooling, air conditioning and cold storage. An Advanced Control and Forecasting Algorithm (ACFA) software will also be deployed to monitor energy usage and assist in reducing costs. Together these components comprise the “Glaciem System”.
Outcome
The Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage project is intended to:
- demonstrate the innovative use of PCM in Glaciem’s systems
- provide operational cost savings for commercial customers seeking to invest in a thermal storage system
- demonstrate the integration of the prototype systems with refrigeration equipment, grid supply and on-site renewable energy generation
- demonstrate the commercial viability of PCM TES by measuring the economic value of a modular mechanism that can store renewable energy, and
- enhance system control of PCM TES by using control logic to enable customers to manage peak energy demand and take advantage of renewable energy productivity.
Additional impact
The project has the clear potential to transform the energy profile of the HVAC-R industry – both in terms of the way energy is supplied to HVAC-R system users and by reducing the impact of HVAC-R on Australia’s electricity system.
Read more about renewables for industry.
ARENAWIRE Blogs
Cool change for air conditioning, refrigeration
A new project trialling the use of renewable energy in cooling and refrigeration has set out to slash energy costs and carbon emissions.
