In order to enhance the performance of a large horizontal thermal energy storage, a numerical model was generated and validated using measurements obtained from Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC). A total of nine different baffle configurations were tested in order to enhance the thermal stratification. The designs were tested for a total of six different cases of charging, discharging and simultaneous charging and discharging in an attempt to better identify key features that mix the tank under realistic conditions. Characterization of the tank performance was done by monitoring the tank outlet temperature and computing Huhn's efficiency Second Law characterization index). Results show that the current tanks at DLSC experience excessive mixing due to plume entrainment that occurs during the spreading of the inlet jet. The introduction of a baffle into the middle of the tank was found to have no impact on the level of stratification. In addition, most designs tested have a relatively high level of stratification during charging, discharging and simultaneous charging and discharging, but fail to sustain the level of stratification when a positive buoyant jet is introduced. It was demonstrated that the inlets and outlets should be moved to the top and bottom of the tank to eliminate stagnant fluid that is not easily discharged. Horizontal baffles are effective in allowing the inlet jet to spread horizontally but not vertically, thus reducing the mixing. Alternatively, a simple solution would be to increase the size of the inlet, which has a comparable performance to the best baffle configurations. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The Paris Agreement on climate change entered into force in 2016 and has been ratified by 193 of the 197 Parties to-date, followed by country targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, not least through an increasing penetration of renewable energy sources. In its 2021 annual World Energy Outlook, the IEA envisages a Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario (NZE) in which renewables as a percentage of total energy supply increase from around 10% in 2020 to over 65% in 2050 and is reflected by a similar change in the percentage of variable renewables in total generation, thereby increasing the need for system flexibility. Thermal grids are a significant supplier of heat to buildings in Europe, Russia and China, providing 45 % of heat in some European countries. One of the advantages of district heating is its ability to consume multiple fuel sources, including electricity. Technologies for converting heat back to electricity mean that, in theory, district heating can adjust both the consumption of electricity, and potentially supply electricity, to provide short-term flexibility and ancillary services to the power grid, and thus may help to meet future system flexibility needs. This thesis describes the results of literature reviews and a techno-economic study to determine and quantify the potential for thermal grids to address future system flexibility needs, through possible contributions to the electricity balancing market or provision of ancillary services. These studies focus on the potential use of heat-to-power technologies in thermal grids; on identifying and quantifying short term heat storage options that can be used for increased flexibility in thermal grids; and whether the use of this flexibility could contribute to reduced curtailment of renewable electricity sources, leading to avoided emissions.  The results show that most thermal grids have multiple options for the storage of heat, with storage capacity already available that could potentially be used to provide additional flexibility. Stored heat may be converted to electricity with commercially available heat-to-power technologies, although economic feasibility may still be limited. It is shown that if storage flexibility is used to reduce the curtailment of renewable energy sources at a country scale through power-to-heat technology, this storage flexibility can lead to megatonnes of avoided CO₂eq emissions.

The effect of using high voltage DC and AC on the heat transfer process during the melting of a Phase Change Material (PCM) in a rectangular enclosure was studied experimentally and numerically. The experiments were conducted for two configurations: (a) a horizontal rectangular enclosure in which the initial melting process is governed by heat conduction, (b) a vertical rectangular enclosure in which the initial melting process is governed by heat convection. The level of heat transfer enhancement was quantified by using a novel experimental facility for the horizontal configuration. The experimental methodology was verified first against non-EHD melting cases and then was further expanded to include the EHD effects. The experiments showed that EHD forces can be used to enhance a conduction dominated melting up to a maximum of 8.6-fold locally and that the level of enhancement is directly related to the magnitude of the applied voltage. It was found that the main mechanism of enhancement in these cases can be attributed to the electrophoretic forces and that the role of the dielectrophoretic forces is minimal under the applied voltages. In the vertical configuration, the effect of the magnitude of the applied voltage, the applied voltage wave-form, the gravitational Rayleigh number, Stefan number and the aspect ratio of the enclosure on the heat transfer enhancement were investigated experimentally. A novel shadowgraph experimental measurement system was developed and verified against the analytical correlations of natural convection in rectangular enclosures and the non-EHD melting performance was verified against the bench mark experiments of Ho (1984). The shadowgraph system was used to measure the local heat transfer coefficient across the heat source wall (the heat exchanger surface). The local heat transfer measurements along with the melting temporal profiles were used to explain and visualize the coupling between the Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) forces and the gravitational forces. It was found that the EHD forces could still enhance the melting process even for an initially convection dominated melting process. The mechanism of enhancement was found to be a bifurcation of the initial convection cell into multiple electro-convective cells between the rows of the electrodes. The shadowgraph system was used to assess the interaction between the electrical and the gravitational forces through the visualization of these cells and quantifying their size. The EHD heat transfer enhancement factor was found to increase by the increase of the applied voltage, reaching a 1.7 fold enhancement at the lower gravitational Rayleigh number tested and 1.45 fold for the highest gravitational Rayleigh and Stefan number. The effect of the polarity of the applied voltage was tested for the different cases and it was found that there was no significant difference between the positive and the negative polarities when the magnitude of the applied voltage was below 4 kV. At higher voltages- 6kV- the negative polarities showed better level of enhancement when compared to the positive applied voltage. It was again found that the main mechanism of enhancement is attributed to charge injection from the high voltage electrodes. A scaling analysis was conducted based on the previous conclusions and the dominant mechanism of enhancement to describe the problem in non-dimensional form. An electrical Rayleigh number was introduced and its magnitude was correlated to the magnitude of the injected current. The melt volume fraction was then represented against the non-dimensional parameter (n+1)(H/W)Fo.Ste.RaE^0.25 and the melt fraction temporal profiles for the different voltages collapsed well against this parameter. Finally, a numerical analysis was conducted on the role of the dielectrophoretic forces during the melting of Octadecane and when they would become of significant importance. The results of the numerical model supported the experimental findings and suggested that a minimum of 15 kV is needed in order to realize the effect of the dielectrophoretic forces. The numerical model was used to understand the interaction between the gravitational and the dielectrophoretic forces at different ranges of both gravitational Rayleigh number and electrical Rayleigh number. The model was complemented with scaling analysis to determine the governing scales of the problem and the dielectrophoretic Rayleigh number was deduced from the study. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

One of prospective procedures of absorbing thermal energy and releasing it during the required time is the application of phase change materials known as PCMs in building envelopes. High thermal energy storage (TES) materials has been a technology that effects the energy efficiency of a building by contributing in using onsite resources and reducing cooling or heating loads. Currently, many TES systems are emerging and contributing in building assemblies, however using an appropriate type of TES in a specific building and climate requires an in-depth knowledge of their properties. This research aims to provide a thorough review of a broad range of thermal energy storage technologies including their potential application in buildings. Subsequently, a comparative study and simulation between a basecase and an optimized model by PCM is thoroughly considered to understand the effect of high thermal storage building's shell on energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort. Specifically this study proposes that the incorporation of PCM into glazing system as a high thermal capacity system will improve windows thermal performance and thermal capacity to varying climatic conditions. The generated results by eQUEST energy modeling software demonstrates approximately 25% reduction in cooling loads during the summer and 10% reduction in heating loads during the winter for optimized office building by PCM in hot arid climate of Arizona. Besides, using PCM in glazing system will reduce heat gain through the windows by conduction phenomenon. The hourly results indicates the effect of PCM as a thermal energy storage system in building envelopes for building's energy efficiency and thermal regulation. However, several problems need to be tackled before LHTES can reliably and practically be applied. We conclude with some suggestions for future work.

L'introduction des énergies renouvelables intermittentes, la mise en place d'une réglementation thermique qui baisse les besoins de chauffage d'un facteur 5 à 10, entraîne une re-conception des moyens de chauffage intégrant efficacité énergétique et effacement d'équipements domestiques lors des heures de pointe. Cette thèse comporte l'étude et la conception d'une PAC intégrant un stockage thermique par chaleur latente dans son condenseur. Ce stock permettra un effacement d'au moins deux heures. Les besoins d'une maison basse consommation (BBC) ont été évalués ainsi que la quantité de chaleur à stocker afin d'assurer cet effacement. Une étude sur le phénomène de changement de phase et les MCP a été menée afin de sélectionner un matériau adapté à cette application. Le phénomène de changement de phase a été modélisé en régime dynamique. Quatre matériaux candidats ont été sélectionnés et analysés par colorimétrie différentielle (DSC) avec ajustement par méthode inverse. Plusieurs structures de l'échangeur stockeur ont été proposées, simulées et optimisées et deux ont été choisies et réalisées. Les deux échangeurs réalisés ont été testés seuls et intégrés dans un système de PAC. La dernière génération a donné des résultats très encourageants pour le développement d'une PAC à stockage efficace. Finalement, l'apport de stockage a été évalué en termes d'efficacité énergétique et d'émissions de CO2. Cette PAC présente une amélioration potentielle du COP saisonnier de 20 à 30 % comparativement à des PAC air/eau et air/air du fait de la gestion intelligente du stockage/déstockage d'énergie en faisant fonctionner la PAC pendant les heures les plus favorables de la journée et en évitant les cycles courts de fonctionnement correspondant aux besoins thermiques faibles. / The introduction of intermittent renewable energies, the implementation of a thermal regulation, which decreases heating needs of a factor between 5 and 10, causes a redesign of heating systems integrating energy efficiency and the cut-off of domestic equipments during peak hours. This thesis involves the study and design of a heat pump incorporating a latent thermal storage in its condenser. This storage will allow a cut-off during at least two hours. The heating needs of a low-energy consumption house (BBC) have been estimated as well as the heat amount to be stored so as to ensure such a cut-off. A study on the phase-change phenomenon and the PCM has been carried out in order to select suitable materials for this application. A dynamic model of the phase change was also developed. Four candidate materials were selected and analyzed by tuned Differential Scaning Calorimetry (DSC) with adjustment by the inverse method. Several storing-exchanger structures have been proposed, simulated, and optimized; two of them have been realized. Both heat exchangers have been tested alone and then integrated into a heat pump system. The final generation gave very promising results for the development of an efficient heat pump with storage. Finally, the heat storage effect has been evaluated in terms of energy efficiency and CO2 emissions. This heat pump presents potential improvement of the seasonal COP between 20% and 30% compared to air-to-water and air-to-air heat pumps because of the smart monitoring of the energy storage/delivery due to the heat pump operation during the most favorable hours of the day and by avoiding short cycles operation corresponding to low heating needs.

Orientador: Alcides Padilha / Banca: Celso Luiz da Silva / Banca: Marcos Pinotti Barbosa / Resumo: Devido à extrema necessidade de se diversificar as fontes de energia renováveis, torna-se necessário a busca por métodos de reciclagem de energia pela utilização de rejeitos térmicos de equipamentos. Assim, o aproveitamento desses rejeitos pode ser utilizado, como uma nova fonte de energia, para o aquecimento de água e armazenamento da mesma em reservatório para uso doméstico. Devido a isso, é proposta a construção de um aparato experimental de um reservatório de armazenamento térmico cilíndrico, onde o objetivo da pesquisa será o levantamento dos coeficientes de desempenho relativo aos refrigeradores convencional e modificado, além de realizar uma análise da armazenagem da água quente, através da técnica da estratificação térmica utilizando um refrigerador com condensador modificado. O rejeito térmico coletado, através do princípio do termosifão, será armazenado na forma de energia térmica. Os resultados mostraram que os coeficientes de desempenho dos sistemas, calculados pelas técnicas relativas às perdas térmicas teóricas e experimentais, apresentaram grande diferença. Observou-se o comportamento dinâmico das termoclinas, através do efeito da estratificação térmica e a evolução das temperaturas em função do tempo, mostrando maior viabilidade do refrigerador modificado, gerando assim maior conforto térmico aos usuários além de produzir água quente para uso doméstico. / Abstract: Due to the extreme necessity to diversify renewable energy sources, the search for energy recycling methods through the utilization of thermal losses from equipment has become fundamental. Thus, these losses can be used as new source of energy for water heating and storage in Domestic Hot Water Storage Tanks (DHWST). For this reason, the construction of an experimental apparatus with a cylindrical thermal storage tank is proposed, in which the objective of the study will be a survey of the Coefficient of Performance concerning conventional and modified refrigerators, as well as to perform an analysis of hot water, through the thermal stratification technique using a refrigerator with a modified condenser. The collected thermal loss, as per the thermosiphon principle, will be stored as thermal energy. The results showed that the coefficient of performance for the systems, calculated using techniques for theoretical and experimental thermal losses, presented great differences. The dynamic behavior of the thermal distribution was observed through the thermal stratification effect and temperature evolution in terms of time, showing greater variability of the modified refrigerator generating more thermal comfort to users in addition to providing domestic hot water. / Mestre

Sweden is working on increasing the share of wind energy, but it comes along with many challenges,one of those challenges is the uncertainty of the wind power; CHP could be an option for betterutilizing of wind power by adapting the power to heat ratio according to wind energy fluctuation.The potential for utilizing installed wind energy in Sweden using CHP plant has been studied. A CHPplant installed in the South of Sweden was considered as studied case. To match the heat andelectricity demand requested by the region with the output from the CHP plant two scenarios weresimulated. Results showed that 5.3 MW of installed wind energy in Sweden could be adjusted andset to a level of 73.6 MW if the CHP plant alone were to cover the heat demand, and 25.4 MW ofinstalled wind power in Sweden could be adjusted and set to a level of 54.2 MW with an additionalheat supply of 8 MW in the studied case.

La réfrigération solaire est une alternative à la production de froid à partir de machines à compression mécanique de vapeur dont l’alimentation est électrique. Parmi les technologies envisageables, le couplage d’une machine de réfrigération thermoacoustique avec un concentrateur solaire et un stockage frigorifique par chaleur latente apparait comme une option intéressante. Cette thèse introduit la problématique du sujet et présente les différentes technologies envisageables pour la conception d’un réfrigérateur thermoacoustique solaire. Ensuite, pour répondre au problème, le prototype expérimental qui a été conçu et fabriqué est présenté. Une méthode de modélisation transitoire au niveau système du prototype est proposée. Enfin les résultats obtenus par les simulations dynamiques sont discutés à travers l’analyse du comportement transitoire de l’ensemble du procédé et des performances associées. / Solar refrigeration is an alternative to electrically driven vapor compression cycle for refrigeration. Among the solar refrigeration technologies, the coupling of a heat driven thermoacoustic refrigerator with a solar concentrator and a cold latent energy storage system seems to be a promising technology. This thesis introduces the issue of the subject and analyzes the different available technologies to design a solar driven thermoacoustic refrigerator. Then, to address the problem, the prototype that has been designed and built, is presented. A lumped model is introduced to describe the transient behavior of the prototype. Finally, simulation results are presented and discussed in terms of dynamic behavior and performance analysis.

Das thermische Raummodell THERAKLES berechnet das dynamische Verhalten eines Raumes und seiner Umschließungsflächen in Abhängigkeit von realistischen Klimarandbedingungen, sowie Nutzer- und Anlagenverhalten. Neben Energieverbrauchswerten werden die operative Temperatur sowie weitere Kriterien zur Beurteilung der Behaglichkeit berechnet. Schwerpunkt der Anwendung liegt auf Optimierung der thermischen Behaglichkeit im Sommerfall, sowie energetischer Optimierung der Regelung von Heizungsanlagen unter Ausnutzung der Dynamik schwerer Baukonstruktionen und Massivbauwände. Das Modell beschreibt das dynamische Verhalten der Umfassungskonstruktionen durch instationäre, räumlich aufgelöste Simulation der Wand-, Fußboden-, und Decken- bzw. Dachflächen. Dadurch werden in der Konstruktion enthaltene Phasenwechselmaterialien (PCM) berücksichtigt und die zeitliche Verfügbarkeit der zusätzlichen Wärmespeicherfähigkeit abgebildet.

Environmental concerns have led to a rapid increase in renewable energy development and production as the global demand for electricity continues to increase. The intermittent and uncertain nature of electricity generation from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, however, create significant challenges in maintaining power system reliability at reasonable costs. Energy storage and smart-grid technologies are perceived to provide potential solutions to these challenges in modern power systems of different sizes. This work investigates the opportunity to incorporate energy storage in microgrids with renewable energy production, as well as applying smart microgrid management techniques to reduce the lifetime costs while maintaining an acceptable level of reliability. A microgrid consisting of a 5 home community with generation supplied by two propane generators to meet the “N-1” reliability criterion is used as the base case scenario. Actual load data of typical homes is obtained from the industry partner. An equivalent loss of load expectation criterion is used to benchmark the acceptable reliability level. A model is developed to calculate the lifetime operational cost of the base case scenario which is used to assess the benefit of the addition of renewable energy sources, energy storage, and smart microgrid management techniques. A MATLAB program is developed to assess the 20 year operational costs of various combinations of renewable energy sources and battery energy storage, which will be considered the lifetime of the system. The combination of generation and storage which yields the lowest lifetime operational cost is defined as the optimized microgrid, and is used as a basis to determine if additional savings are realized by the implementation of a microgrid operated by a Smart Microgrid Management System (SMMS). The conceptual layout of the proposed SMMS is presented along with identified methods of utilizing in-home thermal storage. The SMMS mechanism is discussed along with proposed functionality, potential methods of employment, and associated development and implementation costs. The microgrid operated by the SMMS is assessed, and its lifetime operational cost is presented and contrasted against the base case microgrid and the optimized microgrid. A power system reliability evaluation of the proposed microgrids are conducted using a probabilistic method to ensure that reliability is not sacrificed by the implementation of a cost-minimized microgrid. A sequential Monte Carlo simulation model is developed to assess the power system reliability of the various microgrid configuration cases. The functionality of this model is verified using an existing reliability assessment program. The results from the presented studies show that the implementation of renewable energy sources, energy storage, and smart microgrid management techniques are an effective way of reducing the operational cost of a remote microgrid while increasing its power system reliability.