MH4HEATSTORAGE

In order to increase the proportion of heat generated by solar thermal systems used to meet final energy consumption in Austria, the development of improved storage concepts is required. Of particular interest are technologies that allow solar heat generated in summer to be stored for use in winter without any loss. Unlike sensible or latent heat storage systems, reversible thermochemical heat storage systems offer the advantage of storing heat as reaction heat for an unlimited period. This requires a reversible chemical reaction or a thermodynamic equilibrium system, such as that formed by hydrogen with suitable metallic compounds or composites. Within the project, simulation-based studies were conducted to explore how metal hydrides could be used as long-term thermochemical heat storage in combination with solar thermal systems for a single-family home built to current building standards. The primary objective was to produce an initial rough assessment of the technical and economic framework conditions and requirements for such a technology. As there is currently no significant hydrogen infrastructure, a self-sufficient metal hydride heat storage concept – essentially a metal hydride heat pump – was considered. Detailed design planning of a heat storage concept, the construction of a prototype and its experimental demonstration were explicitly excluded from the objectives.