Can thermal energy storage be used in district heating and cooling system?

This paper deeply reviews the use of thermal energy storage in district heating and cooling system. The following topics are investigated: Advantages and disadvantages of connecting TES to DHC, with a particular analysis of the various sources that can be used to feed DHC.

Can a district heating system store energy?

District heating systems can be used to store energy – for example, a district heating system with thermal storage that uses electricity to heat up water stored in tanks for later use when green power is less plentiful.

What is a district energy system?

In others, the buildings have separate owners, such as in a central business district or segment of a municipality. District energy systems can be designed to serve small or large communities, and the systems can be scaled over time as more buildings are connected. Mature district energy installations can support hundreds of structures. Figure 1.

Why should thermal energy storage systems be included in DHC systems?

Moreover, if the thermal production must follow the thermal load, inefficiencies easily increase. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems are included in DHC systems with the aim of intelligently manage the gap between demand and request.

What are thermal energy storage systems?

Thermal energy storage (TES) systems are included in DHC systems with the aim of intelligently manage the gap between demand and request. These act as buffer between demand and supply, by allowing maximizing both the flexibility and the performance of DH systems and enhancing the smart integration of renewable energy sources into thermal networks.

How can district energy help balance Tomorrow's electricity system?

District energy can also help balance tomorrow’s electricity system, largely reliant on intermittent renewable sources, by providing flexibility through thermal storage, which is generally less expensive than electricity storage.