PCM/Brayton

Transition Energy Storage

This project aims to develop, optimize, and manufacture a novel effective energy storage system that can assist in balancing the mismatch between variable renewable energy supply and consumer energy demand, therefore acting as a grid buffer.

* Innovate UK Project 102242

Project Summary

This project aims to develop

The main aim of the proposed project is to develop an effective energy storage system, that can assist in balancing the mismatch between variable renewable energy supply and consumer energy demand, and act as a grid buffer. The proposed project will design, optimize, construct and test a first-of-its-kind prototype efficient power generation system using a novel thermal energy storage unit for small and large scale commercial/industrial applications. The system provides a suitable energy storage and environmental control platform on top of which renewable energy sources can be added. The system is the first-of-its-kind energy storage system making use of Phase Change Materials and a reversible Brayton cycle. The system comprises the following major components:

1) A coolth storage bed filled with “capsules” containing one or more PCMs melting below room temperature.

2) A heat storage bed filled with “capsules” containing one or more PCMs melting above room temperature.

3) A motor and generator mechanically linked to the compressor/expander via appropriate gearing. The motor and generator may be a single unit, or separate unit, to maximise efficiency.

4) A non-condensable, chemically stable working fluid (e.g. nitrogen, argon or carbon dioxide) that is in direct contact with the capsules.

Two heat exchangers, HX1 and HX2, which can be used to selectively remove from, or add heat to, the gas. At a minimum HX1 and HX2 will form a single heat exchange capability that will allow regeneration within the reverse Brayton cycle used during the charging process. Also if some of the coolth is utilised directly for a/c or refrigeration rather than being converted back to power, then heat removal will be required to complete the cooling cycle.

An effective power storage system to buffer renewable energy supply should meet the following criteria:

The proposed system meets the above power storage criteria by pumping heat from a coolth storage bed to a hot storage bed using a centrifugal compressor/expander operating on a reverse Brayton cycle powered by an electric motor with a gaseous working fluid such as argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Power recovery is achieved by switching the system to operate on a Brayton cycle. The operation is as follow:

Work Packages

24 Month Project

Overall project to be led by Environmental Process Systems Ltd with tasks spread amongst 5 work packages over 2 years.

1 - 24 Months WP1:

Project Management

General project management duties, including: Maintain project plan, arrange bi-monthly internal project review meetings, quarterly reviews with Monitoring Officer and any necessary technical or other meetings.
Ensure regular and effective interaction between appointed Project Manager, project steering committee, WP leaders, team members and Technology Strategy Board via the Monitoring Officer.
Produce quarterly progress / financial reports (8 in total).

6 Months WP2:

Mathematical Modelling and Optimisation

Mathematical modelling for each component of the proposed in Matlab, EES and EnergyPlus, with a detailed modelling for the heat transfer process in both charging and discharging phases.
Various phase change materials will be investigated for both high and low temperature storage in addition to the modelling of the compressor and expander utilized in the charging and discharging phases of the thermal energy storage system.
Produce initial model for simulation.

9 Months WP3:

Development and testing of system sub-units

Testing and development of various system sub-units including the compressor, expander, PCM beds, insulation materials and heat exchangers according to the design and optimization results obtained in WP2.

11 Months WP4:

Prototype construction and testing

Development and construction of a thermal storage-based power generation system prototype.
Laboratory testing for system performance under various operational and ambient conditions in a well-equipped climatic chamber at the UoN.
The interaction between various system components will be investigated and studied.

4 Months WP5:

Development of system control and management strategy

Carry out simulation of the integration of solar energy with the thermal energy storage system.
Development of an optimized control and management strategy using advanced ICT controls.
Integration of the optimized control and management system for the power generation system based on advanced ICT tools.

Project Benefits

Benefits to consortium members:

There will be significant opportunity for the UK and European supply chain to develop the home and export markets for the proposed system, as well as utilising the global networks of the consortium partners. Immediate routes to market will also include direct sales to industrial partners. The proposed solution will be made available as a synergistic technology to enhance existing renewable generation technologies. The growth in sales of energy storage systems is expected to develop significantly due to the wider adoption of renewable energy technologies. This offers access to growth markets for the uptake and implementation of the proposed technology, furthermore, the wider uptake of any developing technology will drive down price.
In addition, the businesses engaged will initially be the companies within the consortium but this has scope to expand substantially when the prototype is produced and introduced to other businesses. A total number of 6 businesses is a conservative estimate. Skill development will initially be confined to the researchers and employees directly involved in the project. This will increase in scope as researchers and employees directly involved with the project communicate their expertise with their colleagues and wider audiences at conferences and trade events, and through the various postgraduate courses at the universities involved. The total of 12 researchers/employees is again a conservative estimate. In order to cover larger storage opportunities, the technology will be offered to those manufacturing larger Brayton cycle machines, and they will be given access to the novel storage technologies that are an integral part of the concept.
Furthermore, the project will:

♣ (a) Contribute to realising the potential of individuals providing new skills and career perspectives: (i) generate new knowledge and technologies; (ii) facilitate knowledge/technology transfer between academic and industries and carry out joint publications; (iii) increase industrial investment in R&D; (iv) provide effective training for experts and students.
♣ (b) Develop new and lasting research collaborations resulting from the inter-sectorial collaboration implemented:
♣ (c)promote and facilitate mobility of researchers and ‘free circulation’ of knowledge and technology; (ii)foster a high level of cooperation between academic and industries;
♣ (d) Nurture the development of the industrial capacity /creating new jobs and businesses: