Maximising Solar PV with Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage

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The Maximising Solar PV with Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage project developed a low cost, phase change material (PCM) for the industrial and commercial refrigeration market, and also to optimise the control and operation of PCM thermal storage systems integrated with solar photovoltaics (PV).Key resultsThe importance of multiple demonstrations. To validate research for various audiences, multiple demonstrations are needed. Specifically, technical audiences require controlled laboratory experiments, while commercial audiences require in the field demonstrations. This project resulted in two demonstration systems. Future projects will need multiple demonstrations.It was critical to develop an optimum control strategy which could be practically implemented. The optimal control strategy was to be evaluated through simulation. This was successfully achieved. However, the complexity of the control strategy and its uniqueness relative to the conventional control options applied to the thermal storage system could not be ignored.The technology has a promising commercial pathway with a number of potential installations being considered. If commercial uptake can be achieved, the technology can be deployed to operate with up to 23% of the annual electrical energy used in the NEM, offering significant demand management opportunities and expanding solar PV installations with end users.Internationally, there is a pathway to deploy/license this technology in China, the Middle East and India once local deployment has proved successful. Both China and India provide regulatory incentives for thermal storage. Furthermore, with the global phase out of HFC refrigerants, these markets require new energy efficient refrigeration solutions which thermal energy storage is able to deliver with natural refrigerants. Future research pathways have been identified which can improve the techno-economic performance of the technology for all these markets.

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