What is thermal energy storage?

What is thermal energy?

Thermal energy is the energy created by particles moving inside a substance, making it warm. The process of converting thermal energy into electricity usually looks like this:

• Heat generation
  Thermal energy is made by burning fossil fuels, nuclear reactions, or tapping into the Earth’s heat.
• Heat transfer
  The heat moves to a fluid, such as water or molten salts, in a closed system.
• Power generation
  Heat turns water into steam.
• Electricity generation
  The steam spins a turbine connected to a generator, making electricity. This electricity can then be transmitted through the grid for distribution into homes, businesses and industries.

Types of thermal power plants

There are different kinds of power plants that use thermal energy to make electricity.

• Fossil fuel power plants
  Burn coal, natural gas, or oil to make heat, which drives turbines.
• Nuclear power plants
  Use controlled nuclear reactions to create heat for generating electricity.
• Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants
  Use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight on a receiver, heating a fluid to make steam for turbines.
• Geothermal power plants
  Use heat from the Earth’s interior to make steam for generating electricity.

Harnessing thermal energy for electricity is a crucial step towards cleaner and more resilient energy.

What is thermal energy storage?

Thermal energy storage is a technology for saving and using heat later. It stores heat in a material like water, ice, or special substances, then releases it when needed.

How does thermal energy storage work?

Thermal energy storage systems have three main parts: a place to store heat, a way to put heat in (charging) and a way to take heat out (discharging). When charging, heat is added to the storage material, making it warmer or changing its form. When discharging, the stored heat is released, often to heat water.

How is thermal energy stored?

Thermal energy can be stored in different ways:

• Sensible heat storage
  Materials like water, rocks, and bricks get warmer when heat is added. This is often seen in water tanks for homes and businesses.
• Latent heat storage
  Phase change materials (PCMs) like paraffin wax or salt hydrates absorb or release heat during a phase change without changing temperature much. Sunamp heat batteries are a great example of this.
• Thermochemical storage
  Uses reversible chemical reactions to store and release heat. It’s not common to see this in homes, but it is used in larger systems such as research projects and industries.

Why is thermal energy storage important?

Thermal energy storage is crucial for sustainability and energy management. It helps balance energy supply and demand by storing extra energy during off-peak times for use when demand is high. It boosts the efficiency of renewable energy sources (such as solar PV) by storing energy when it’s generated for use later. Thermal energy storage also reduces reliance on fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and waste.

Advantages of thermal energy storage

• Reduced energy costs
  By using energy during cheaper, off-peak hours, using thermal energy storage can help you save on your energy bills.
• Increased energy efficiency
  Storing excess energy for later use is more energy efficient than wasting it.
• Environmental benefits
  Less pollution and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
• Less reliance on the grid
  Especially if your thermal energy store is powered using renewable energy, such as solar PV.

Disadvantages of thermal energy storage

• High initial costs
  Installing a new system can be expensive initially, even though it saves money long-term.
• Energy loss
  Some heat can be lost during storage and retrieval.
• Limited storage capacity
  Can only store so much energy.
• Integration challenges
  Can be tricky to fit into existing infrastructure.

Energy storage in the UK

The UK is actively looking into and investing in different energy storage technologies, including thermal energy storage, to help move towards a low-carbon energy future.

Home thermal energy storage

HeatElectric provides the complete solution for adding thermal energy storage to your home. If you want to cut energy costs, become more energy independent, and reduce your carbon footprint, we’re here to help.

What is Sunamp?

Sunamp, headquartered in Edinburgh, is a leading provider of innovative thermal energy storage solutions. They manufacture heat batteries designed to efficiently provide hot water solutions for residential and commercial properties.

How do Sunamp batteries work?

Sunamp heat batteries use a phase change material (PCM) to store and release thermal energy efficiently. When the Sunamp is charging, the PCM absorbs heat and undergoes a phase change. When the Sunamp is discharging, the PCM releases heat as it solidifies, providing a constant and reliable source of energy for heating water.

What size Sunamp do I need?

Selecting the appropriate size of Sunamp heat battery depends on factors such as property size, your hot water requirements, and your energy usage patterns. We can help you to assess your needs and recommend the right size and model of Sunamp heat battery. We do this during a free, no obligation home survey.

Sunamp heat battery vs. cylinder

Compared to traditional hot water cylinders, Sunamp heat batteries boast several advantages:

• Compact, space saving design – up to four-times smaller than the equivalent hot water cylinder.
• Higher efficiency and lower energy consumption, providing you with reduced heating costs and a lower carbon footprint.
• Compatible with renewable energy sources, allowing for seamless integration with solar panels.
• When installed alongside a solar PV system, Sunamp heat batteries are currently available at 0% VAT.

Harness the power of thermal energy storage today to help reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Get in touch today to find out more and take the first steps to a greener, more sustainable future.