DevMoTES – Methodology development for accelerated generation of thermal energy storage models for transient system simulations

The heating sector accounts for more than half of the total final energy demand and thus for a considerable proportion of the European Union’s CO₂ emissions. Decarbonization of the heating sector is therefore of great importance if we want to achieve our long-term climate targets. Thermal energy storages (TES) are a key technology in this respect and can make a significant contribution to increase the share of renewable energies in future energy systems. Due to emerging new technologies and the increasing complexity of the systems, numerical modeling and simulation will play an increasingly important role. Multi-annual dynamic system simulations with suitable storage models are necessary for design and control optimizations as well as for detailed technical, economic and ecological system analyses. Yet, the development of suitable TES models is time-consuming and costly. Therefore, the central goal of this project is the development of specific methods to accelerate this process.

The basis of the project is the development of large-scale and thermochemical TES models, two emerging storage technologies, which are currently investigated at AEE INTEC in ongoing research projects. To ensure plausibility, accuracy and usability of the developed models, they are validated with real measurement data and tested in corresponding system simulations. In order to accelerate the modeling process, the acausal, equation-based, object-oriented modeling language Modelica is used. As studies show, causal modeling with Modelica can accelerate the modeling process many times over compared to traditional causal modeling tools such as TRNSYS due to the higher reusability, expandability, and adaptability of models.

Finally, the gained knowledge and content of the model development will be bundled into general methodologies, development modules and modeling toolkits to provide a more time and cost efficient TES modeling process in the future.