Description and contextualization of the subject

In this course different aspects related to the storage of thermal energy will be presented. This will include an introduction to thermal energy storage, the motivation to store thermal energy and the most important fields of application where thermal energy storage can be used.



The different processes and paths that can be used (sensible, latent and thermochemical storage) and the related materials studied nowadays will also be presented. Moreover, the application of this technology in different industrial sectors such as concentrated solar power (CSP), waste heat recovery and seasonal storage will be highlighted.



The course will cover aspects related to materials synthesis, materials characterization and upscaling aspects.



This will include the strategies followed for materials synthesis and optimization; the methodology followed for materials characterization (thermophysical) depending on the type of processes considered (sensible, latent or thermochemical); the issues related to materials compatibility and corrosion; the theoretical method and strategies followed for performance analysis of the TES system as a function of the conditions of operation. In order to better understand the fundamentals of the TES technology, notions related to TES materials and systems (practical and theoretical) modelling and integration into the application will also be given.

Learning outcomes of the subject

At the end of the course the students will learn what are the main challenges and solutions related to materials development for thermal energy storage applications.



Following an interdisciplinary approach (Physics, Chemistry, Engineering) they will have an overview of the entire research path followed starting from material development up to arrive to its integration into a thermal energy storage system.



In particular, at the end of the course the students will have:



i) the basic knowledge on the main classes of materials and processes used for thermal energy storage applications;

ii) the approaches used for materials synthesis, characterization and optimizations;

iii) the strategies used for materials modification to improve performances;

iv) the main characterization techniques used;

v) the basic knowledge of the theoretical modelling used to study the materials developed in more real conditions.

Ordinary call: orientations and renunciation

- Written test 70%

- Team work (small research project) 20%

- Laboratory practice 10%





Two different written trials will be carried out. The final test will concern all the concepts developed and the knowledge acquired during the course. This trial will be individual and will be performed in a limited time. The second one will include the development of a small research project focused on one of the main processes to store thermal energy (sensible, latent of thermochemical) chosen by the students. The project should follow a multidisciplinary approach to include all the aspects of the investigation (experimental, modelling and possible integration) necessary for the development of a material with potentialities to be used in a real application. The work will be carried out in parallel with the theoretical courses in order to appreciate their concrete application and to enrich the exchanges with the teachers. This work will be carried out in two/three groups. A first step will be the elaboration of the project by the students through a wide bibliographic study around the thermal energy storage. At the end of this step, the students will propose to the supervisors the project they have imagined for validation. A document summarizing this first stage of work will be presented and evaluated. Once the construction phase is complete, the student groups will work on the project planning. The students will initially establish a work plan (Gantt chart type) with the identification of needs, objectives and deliverables. The work plan will be evaluated with the supervisors. During this phase, students will be encouraged to base their work on the theoretical courses. An oral presentation together with a mid-term and final report will be prepared for the final evaluation.



Those students who complete the final test and obtain a grade lower than 4.0 out of 10 will suspend the subject.



The final grade will be calculated using the following formula:



Final grade = 0.70 (note written test) + 0.20 (note research project) + 0.10 (others activities of continuous evaluation carried out during the course).



All the students that, applying the above formula, obtain an evaluation equal to or higher than 5.0 will pass the final test.

Extraordinary call: orientations and renunciation

Students who are examined in the extraordinary call must complete the final written test being evaluated in it for the entire subject.

For the calculation of the final grade, the same formula as in the ordinary call will be used.

Temary

1. Introduction to thermal energy storage: Interest, principles, applications

2. Sensible heat storage

3. Latent heat storage

4. Thermochemical heat storage

5. Corrosion aspects

6. TES systems integration and Platforms

Bibliography

Compulsory materials

Students should use the collections of issues and problems that teachers will publish at the beginning of the course, and for each topic, on the eGela platform.







The student will have on the eGela platform, of the subject matter and of the practical scripts in electronic format to favor the understanding of the subjects and the agile follow-up of the classes.

Basic bibliography

- Thermal Energy Storage Technologies for Sustainability, Elsevier, by S. Kalaiselvam and R. Parameshwaran

- Thermal Energy Storage: Systems and Applications, Wiley, by I. Dinçer, M. A. Rosen

- Advances in Thermal Energy Storage Systems, Elsevier B.V., by L. F. Cabeza