What is hot water storage & how does it work?

As with chilled water storage, water can be heated and stored during periods of low thermal demand and then used during periods of high demand, ensuring that all thermal energy from the CHP system is eficiently utilized. Hot water storage coupled with CHP is especially attractive in cold northern climates that have high space heating requirements.

What is a hot water storage tank?

Hot water storage tanks can be sized for nearly any application. As with chilled water storage, water can be heated and stored during periods of low thermal demand and then used during periods of high demand, ensuring that all thermal energy from the CHP system is eficiently utilized.

What is thermal energy storage?

Thermal energy storage (TES) technologies heat or cool a storage medium and, when needed, deliver the stored thermal energy to meet heating or cooling needs.

What is a cool TES energy storage media?

The most common Cool TES energy storage media are chilled water, other low-temperature fluids (e.g., water with an additive to lower freezing point), ice, or some other phase change material. Cool TES technologies shift electricity use by decoupling chiller operation from instantaneous loads.

How does ice storage work?

These technologies store cool energy in the form of ice at 32°F; the ice absorbs heat during its phase change to water, with a heat of fusion of 144 Btu/lb. Ice storage systems require a charging fluid at temperatures of 15°F or more below the normal operating range of conventional cooling equipment for air conditioning.

What temperature does a water chiller store water?

Chilled water systems typically store supply water at 39°F to 42°F, which is compatible with most water chillers and distribution systems. Return temperatures are typically in the range of 55°F to 60°F or higher. Stratified low-temperature-fluid TES systems operate similarly but with lower supply temperatures, typically between 29°F and 36°F.