Due to the ever increasing share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the energy mix, large-scale energy storage systems are considered essential to ensure the security of supply in energy systems. In recent years, Carnot batteries have been introduced as an alternative grid-scale electrical storage system. In this storage concept, electrical energy is converted into heat, the heat is stored in a thermal storage system and finally converted back into electricity when needed. One of the main branches in the technology development is based on Rankine-cycles. The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) has potential for integration as the heat-to-power technology in this overall storage system. However, it is not clear how to size the system and assess its economic feasibility taking into account variable electricity production, demand and pricing. A sizing methodology based on a high-level generalized model of a Carnot battery is introduced to fill this gap. The methodology is explained in general and illustrated by a case study of load shifting of solar PV-panels for a non-residential university building with a high capacity of solar production.      «

Due to the ever increasing share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the energy mix, large-scale energy storage systems are considered essential to ensure the security of supply in energy systems. In recent years, Carnot batteries have been introduced as an alternative grid-scale electrical storage system. In this storage concept, electrical energy is converted into heat, the heat is stored in a thermal storage system and finally converted back into electricity when needed. One of the main bra...     »