Comprehensive review of dynamical simulation models of packed-bed systems for thermal energy storage applications in renewable power production

[EN]The need for large-scale energy storage in the context of renewable electricity production worldwide is evident. Among the various energy storage methods, thermal energy storage stands out. It is independent of geographical location, allows high storage capacities, does not require scarce materi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Pérez-Gallego, David, González Ayala, Julián, Medina Domínguez, Alejandro, Calvo Hernández, Antonio
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)
Repositorio:GREDOS. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Salamanca
OAI Identifier:oai:gredos.usal.es:10366/163948
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10366/163948
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Energy storage technologies
Thermal energy storage
Packed-bed system
Thermoclines numerical simulation
Efficient computing
Charge-discharge efficiencies
Descripción
Sumario:[EN]The need for large-scale energy storage in the context of renewable electricity production worldwide is evident. Among the various energy storage methods, thermal energy storage stands out. It is independent of geographical location, allows high storage capacities, does not require scarce materials, and is cheaper than its direct competitors. Currently, several technologies are being intensively developed. In some of them, packed-bed systems play a central role: a heat transfer fluid heats up or releases heat from a porous solid that acts as a thermal energy reservoir. This work compiles their application to concepts such as concentrated solar power, pumped thermal energy storage, and compressed or liquid air energy storage. Different physical models with diverse rfinement degrees and the corresponding computational schemes are comprehensively presented. Comparison with previous experimental works includes gas or liquid heat transfer fluids, sensible or latent heat transfers, and a wide range of temperature levels. It is shown that the continuous 1D solid phase model solved with an implicit Euler method provides satisfactory results with a reasonable computing time for various systems. The ifluence of time step and spatial mesh is surveyed, as well as that of pressure drops. Efficiencies and stored energies are calculated for some particular cases, and sensitivity analysis is presented, including parameters such as fluid velocity in discharge and storage time. Concerning the latter, discharge efficiencies for long-time storage (between 10 and 15 h) are fairly good, between 0.39 and 0.20.