FlexModul – Demonstration of a Modular Solid Sorption Heat Storage System

Due to their considerable flexibility and balancing potential, heat storage systems will in future play an important role in the integration of renewable energy sources and waste heat. Thermo-chemical storage systems based on solid sorption have the potential to achieve three to four times higher energy densities in comparison with water storage systems. They are also able to store energy over a longer period of time (seasonal energy storage). Neither comparable national nor international developments in this field could reach market launch so far and work is still being done on low TRL levels. The technology was successfully demonstrated at TRL 5-6 by the project consortium in predecessor projects. To be able to make the big step from TRL 6 (Technology Demonstration) to TRL 8 (System development) the project aims to combine numerous technological improvements on different levels and therefore has great potential to positively complete the development work up to market launch. Thus a pioneering technological and market role both nationally and internationally is achieved. The project will focus on further development on component and system level especially focusing on the modularity, compactness, scalability and mass production capability to reduce the investment and maximize the applicability of the concept. Therefore, optimization in the areas of material input, system complexity, control, building integration, etc. are key points of the project. To investigate the full application potential of the technology, specific work will be done to investigate different business case options considering the technical and economic performance of the modular storage concept in the application areas domestic buildings, tertiary buildings, industry and district heating. Two cases will be demonstrated:

1) Demonstration of seasonal storage to store surplus heat from solar collectors (or PV) from summer to winter and therefore increase the self-consumption of solar energy over the entire year to reach nearly 100 % renewable energy supply. The storage will be integrated in a single-family-house and provide heat for domestic hot water and space heating.

2) Demonstration of high energy density power to heat (P2H) storage as cost-effective alternative for batteries, to significantly increase the self-consumption. The storage is used for balancing electricity surplus on a daily basis (P2H) from local photovoltaic and combined heat and power at the gourmet restaurant and hotel “Steirereck” in Styria (Pogusch). It will provide heat for DHW and space heating.