THERMAL ENERGY STORAGES – MATERIALS AND APPLICATION

Abstract

Thermal energy storage (TES) is a technology that gives an opportunity for using energy in the period when the production of energy is at a lower level or does not exist. TES are used when there is a mismatch between energy demand and energy supply. They increase heat generation capasity, enable better operation, increase system reliability, shift energy purchases from high to low-cost periods, they take role of expansion vessel and so on. This paper will present the field of Thermal Energy Storages (TES), methods and materials that are used as working mediums. The problems of using PCM materials as storing mediums were shown and discused. The technics for overcoming the problem of low thermal conductivity of PCM were listed and described. At the end of the article the main applications of TES were given.