Master theses: Large-scale thermal energy storages – development and evaluation of the storage cover

AEE INTEC

AEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC) is a non-university research institute founded in 1988. AEE INTEC currently employs around 80 scientists from eleven nations and continuously awards dissertations, master’s theses and internships. AEE INTEC works in the fields of “Buildings”, “Cities and Networks”, “Technology Development” and “Industrial Systems” on fundamental and application-oriented research in national and international R&D projects in cooperation with universities, colleges, other research institutions and industry.

Research Project

Energy storage systems create a balance between energy supply and demand and are of essential importance for future energy systems with high shares of volatile renewable energies. The focus is not only on electricity storage, but also on heat storage, which enables not only short-term but also long-term (seasonal) heat storages. In particular, large-scale thermal energy storages (LTES) with volumes of up to 1.000.000 m³ could play a central role in increasing the share of renewable energy in local and district heating networks and in industry.

The TREASURE project is developing Pit Thermal Energy Storages (PTES), which are crucial for utilising renewable energy to heat residential areas and industry.

Seven demonstration projects are being implemented in five countries to determine the optimal techniques. Collaboration with various partners will make it possible to improve the components and develop more efficient construction methods. The aim is to close the gap between research and implementation in order to ensure robust, reliable, cost-efficient and sustainable thermal energy storage on a large scale. In addition, safe and intelligent energy system integration concepts will be developed and the effectiveness of implementation in Europe will be increased.

Outline of the Master Theses

The master’s theses are integrated into an ongoing AEE INTEC research project and should be carried out in close cooperation with the project team. After a training phase, during which the student will gain a comprehensive insight into the state-of-the-art of large-scale thermal energy storage technology, the content of the master’s theses will focus on the cover component of the storage.

In the TREASURE project, several master’s theses are assigned with a focus on storage cover. The various topics relate, for example, to design development, evaluation of the thermal insulation function, economic aspects, but also topics such as the development of surface design concepts (e.g. greenhouses) and their ecological assessments. We can customise the final focus of your master’s thesis depending on your specialisation and personal interests.

We expect…

• Interest in sustainable energy technologies
• Solution-focused, independent, motivated and responsible working practices
• Current/finished studies in the field of natural or engineering sciences or similar.

We offer…

• Paid Master’s thesis, embedded in a current research project
• Intensive support from experienced employees in the field of thermal energy technologies
• Planned duration: 6 months, Start: from now on, Place of realization: Gleisdorf, Austria

Contact for content-related questions and application to:

DI Thomas Riegler
E-Mail: t.riegler@aee.at