Heat storage systems are the key technology for a flexible and reliable energy supply in the age of renewable energy and in industry.
Heat storage systems based on inexpensive and available materials such as salt, lime or natural stone are of crucial importance for the further development of a low-carbon energy supply, especially in connection with renewable energies such as solar and wind. This type of storage enables efficient bridging of energy fluctuations and contributes to the stability of the power grid.
Heat storage systems utilise materials such as salt, lime or natural stone, which are locally available and environmentally friendly. These materials have the ability to store large amounts of thermal energy and retain it over long periods of time. By utilising solar energy or surplus wind energy, heat is generated that can be stored in these materials and retrieved when needed.
Significance for energy supply:
The use of heat storage systems is crucial for the integration of renewable energies into the electricity grid. By storing energy, fluctuations in electricity generation can be balanced out, resulting in a stable energy supply. This is particularly important as renewable energies such as solar and wind are heavily dependent on weather conditions.
Utilisation in the industry:
In addition to their use in energy supply, heat storage systems are also playing an increasingly important role in industry. They enable the efficient use of process heat and support the optimisation of industrial production processes. By storing and releasing heat energy in a targeted manner, operating costs can be reduced and the environmental impact minimised.
Transformation of coal-fired power plants:
Coal-fired power plants can also benefit from heat storage systems on a megawatt-hour scale, particularly as part of their transformation to more environmentally friendly operating modes. By integrating heat storage systems based on salt, lime or natural stone, coal-fired power plants can be operated more flexibly by storing thermal energy and utilising it when needed. This helps to reduce the environmental impact and enable the transition to a low-CO2 energy supply.
Thermal storage
Test setup at the DLR HOTREG research facility in Stuttgart
In low wind, cloudy weather or at night, stored heat from renewable energy sources can be used to generate controllable renewable electricity. This makes it possible to cover peak loads in a climate-neutral way and stabilise the power grid.
