Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISEWe develop, test and optimize thermal storage ranging from low-temperature to high-temperature storage systems up to 600 °C.
For low temperature solar thermal energy, the most common storage medium is water. Other storage media such as phase change materials are also implemented. One differentiates between domestic hot water storage, combined storage tanks and puffer storage. We measure and characterize the charging and discharging characteristics as well as the thermal losses of the storage systems and we assist in their optimization. With simulations, we evaluate the storage performance within the total system.
Integrating high temperature storage systems into solar thermal power plants allows power to be generated in line with demand. Molten nitrate salt is frequently the storage medium of choice. Storage concepts involve combining different storage units and optimizing the charging and discharging performance and the storage capacity for the given power plant. Also in industrial process steam systems, storage systems for temperatures above 180°C are similarly required.
