Energy Optimization for Transcritical CO2 Heat Pumps for Combined Heating and Cooling and Thermal Storage Applications

A transcritical heat pump (THP) cycle using carbon dioxide (CO2) as the refrigerant is known to feature an excellent coefficient of performance (COP) as a thermodynamic system. Using this feature, we are designing and building a system that combines a water-to-water CO2 heat pump with both hot and cold thermal storages know as Thermal Battery (TB) (Blarke, 2012). Smart and effective use of intermittent renewable energy resources (for example solar and wind power) is obtained supplying water heating ( \u3e 70 oC) and cooling services ( \u3c 10 oC) for residential and commercial buildings. Our fundamental hypothesis is that if electricity generated by intermittent sources is destined for thermal end-uses an efficient conversion of electricity to thermal energy and storage enables a flexible power supply. Thermal storage is more cost-effective than any electro-chemical or mechanical storage technology. The usability and the cost effectiveness are critical for smart grid policies on large-scale integration of intermittent renewables. In this paper, we present an analytic thermodynamic model that predicts the effect of temperature and flow rate of hot and cold water circulation on system COP. The analytical predictions are consistent with the experimental results (Sarkar, 2010)

Controlling evaporation loss from water storages

[Executive Summary]: Evaporation losses from on-farm storage can potentially be large, particularly in irrigation areas in northern New South Wales and Queensland where up to 40% of storage volume can be lost each year to evaporation. Reducing evaporation from a water storage would allow additional crop production, water trading or water for the environment. While theoretical research into evaporation from storages has previously been undertaken there has been little evaluation of current evaporation mitigation technologies (EMTs) on commercial sized water storages. This project was initiated by the Queensland Government Department of Natural Resources and Mines (NRM) with the express aim of addressing this gap in our knowledge. The report addressed i) assessment of the effectiveness of different EMT’s in reducing evaporation from commercial storages across a range of climate regions, ii) assessment of the practical and technical limitations of different evaporation control products, and iii) comparison of the economics of different EMT’s on water storages used for irrigation

Short-term Self-Scheduling of Virtual Energy Hub Plant within Thermal Energy Market

Multicarrier energy systems create new challenges as well as opportunities in future energy systems. One of these challenges is the interaction among multiple energy systems and energy hubs in different energy markets. By the advent of the local thermal energy market in many countries, energy hubs' scheduling becomes more prominent. In this article, a new approach to energy hubs' scheduling is offered, called virtual energy hub (VEH). The proposed concept of the energy hub, which is named as the VEH in this article, is referred to as an architecture based on the energy hub concept beside the proposed self-scheduling approach. The VEH is operated based on the different energy carriers and facilities as well as maximizes its revenue by participating in the various local energy markets. The proposed VEH optimizes its revenue from participating in the electrical and thermal energy markets and by examining both local markets. Participation of a player in the energy markets by using the integrated point of view can be reached to a higher benefit and optimal operation of the facilities in comparison with independent energy systems. In a competitive energy market, a VEH optimizes its self-scheduling problem in order to maximize its benefit considering uncertainties related to renewable resources. To handle the problem under uncertainty, a nonprobabilistic information gap method is implemented in this study. The proposed model enables the VEH to pursue two different strategies concerning uncertainties, namely risk-averse strategy and risk-seeker strategy. For effective participation of the renewable-based VEH plant in the local energy market, a compressed air energy storage unit is used as a solution for the volatility of the wind power generation. Finally, the proposed model is applied to a test case, and the numerical results validate the proposed approach

Modelling of high temperature storage systems for latent heat

There is a huge demand for heat storages for evaporation applications. Thermal storage systems are used to increase the efficiency of thermal systems by an improved adaption of energy availability and energy demand. In this paper a possible solution for modular storage systems from 200-600 °C and pressures up to 100 bar is presented. The application of steam as a working medium requires the availability of isothermal storage if charging/discharging should take place at almost constant pressure. The saturation temperature range is between 200°C and 320°C. Therefore nitrate salts are used as phase change material (PCM). The solution developed at DLR is characterized by a modular concept of tube register storages surrounded by both sensible and latent heat storage material. The focus in this paper is on modelling of the PCM storage. A model is introduced for melting and freezing of the PCM. To perform with an acceptable heat transfer rate inside the PCM, fins are used to increase the overall thermal conductivity. Instead introducing mean storage material parameters, like thermal conductivity or specific heat capacity, the geometry of the finned tube is modelled by using discrete elements. Therefore the model allows detailed studies on heat transfer during space and time. The fin design can be varied in order to find an optimal configuration. A set of partial differential equations is created and solved. When considering a stand alone system, that means tube, fin and PCM, without a connection to other components, investigation is quite effective. In case of the PCM storage there is the big advantage, compared with a sensible regenerator, that the almost constant fluid temperature, when evaporating or condensing, leads to a uniform temperature distribution in fluid flow direction. Therefore only a very rough discretisation in axial direction is needed, what even allows bonding with other components e.g. from the Modelica Fluid Library. Sensible storages as they are used for preheating and superheating have a characteristic temperature gradient in axial direction. To describe their thermal behaviour concentrated models, using dimensionless numbers, are used

The economic value of storage in renewable power systems - the case of thermal energy storage in concentrating solar plants

In this article we analyze the value of thermal energy storages in concentrated solar plants depending on the electricity generation mix. To determine the value from a system integrated view we model the whole electricty generation market of the Iberian Peninsula. Key findings for thermal energy storage units in concentrated solar plants include an increasing value in electricity systems with higher shares of fluctuating renewable generation and a potentially significant role in a transformation to a primarily renewable based electricity system. Due to the relatively high investment costs concentrated solar power plants with or without thermal energy storages are not cost efficient in todays electricity markets. However, expected cost reductions due to learning curve effects and higher fluctuating renewable generation may lead to a comparative cost advantage of concentrated solar power plants with thermal energy storages compared to other renewable technologies.Fluctuating renewables; value of storage; concentrated solar power; power plant optimization

L-Sol – heating system with PVT-collectors as single heat source for a brine-water heat pump

The building sector has a huge potential for reducing greenhouse gas emission without the need of a higher sufficiency. The key is to build and retrofit buildings with good envelopes as well as choosing efficient heating systems. A heating system with a brine-water heat pump and PVT collectors as single heat source is suggested here as an alternative to an air-water heat pump system for single family houses. In the system simulations performed, the PVT-heat pump System ("L-Sol") is more efficient than an air-water heat pump system and still affordable. As the System L-Sol produces heat and electricity on the same area it saves space, disadvantages like noise emission of air-water heat pumps or costly drilling of bore holes are omitted. The system has been optimized in terms of efficiency by testing different dimensioning of the components and regarding the grid purchase by optimizing the system control

On modelling effects in the battery and thermal storage scheduling problem

The growing use of intermittent renewable energy sources requires an increased amount of storage capacity to match uncertain generation with uncertain demand. A possible solution is the use of thermal and electrical storages. This paper compares several model formulations: mixed integer linear programs (MILPs), nonlinear programs (NLPs), mixed integer nonlinear programs (MINLPs) for optimizing the operation of a multi-modal home energy system comprising heating and electricity subsystems. The respective optimization problems are then resolved within a model predictive control scheme and the final solutions are compared in terms of runtime and optimality. The results indicate that a thermocline-based thermal storage model leads to the overall lowest costs while not significantly impeding computing times. Additionally, the results show that a continuous heat pump model leads to reduced computing times without affecting the modelling accuracy