A Novel TES System to Support the Energy Grid Flexibility: Experimental Test of a TCM Reactor

According to the energy transition policies targeting zero greenhouse gas emissions, the deployment of renewable energy sources is essential in the next decades. Energy storage systems play a strategic role in supporting this process of change by providing flexibility, reliability and continuity. This study investigates the applicability of Thermochemical Material (TCM) in Thermal Energy Storage (TES) System and evaluates their performance applied to civil exploitation. Through an experimental thermochemical reactor, thermal energy can be stored and released, decoupling energy production from the end-user consumption. To examine the behaviour of the TCM, a laboratory test bench was implemented, and the material was analysed under discharging conditions. The proposed TES system prototype operates in an open-loop configuration and exploits the humidity of ambient air under standard environmental conditions during the discharge mode. The tests show how the thermal power release of TCM is related to the absolute humidity of the air flow rate that enters the system. However, the TCM air permeability affects the real exploitation of the packed bed reactor itself. Overall, the system could support the integration of renewable energy sources by enhancing energy management capabilities.