Optimization of hybrid sensible-latent seasonal heat storage systems

William Delgado-Díaz, Willy Villasmil, Marcel Troxler, Ruben Hijwegen, Reto Hendry, Ueli Schilt, Philipp Roos, Rebecca Ravotti, Anastasia Stamatiou, Sophia Haussener and Jörg Worlitschek

Applied Energy, 2025, vol. 399, issue C, No S0306261925009651

Abstract: This study presents a coupled techno-economic and environmental model of hybrid sensible-latent thermal energy storage (TES) systems, integrating phase change material (PCM) macro-capsules to enhance storage capacity and performance. The multi-scale model accounts for stratification in the sensible storage and phase change dynamics in the PCM capsules. This framework is used to perform multi-objective optimization across the full range of thermal self-sufficiency (SSth) levels for a multi-family building. The results show that a 70 % SSth offers the optimal balance between economic feasibility and environmental impact, with a Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH) of 0.27 CHF/kWh and a Global Warming Potential (GWP) reduction of 76 % compared to fossil fuel alternatives. Systems targeting up to 85 % SSth are technically feasible but come with increased costs (up to 0.33 CHF/kWh), while exceeding 85 % SSth results in exponential increases in both cost and storage volume. Maximizing photovoltaic (PV) and heat pump (HP) power is critical for optimizing system performance. Future advancements in PCM technology and decreasing PV costs could lower the LCOH to 0.23 CHF/kWh and the GWP to 21 % of fossil fuel systems, demonstrating significant potential for long-term cost reductions and sustainability.

Keywords: Hybrid sensible-latent thermal energy storage; Phase change materials (PCM); Seasonal thermal energy storage (STES); Levelized cost of heat (LCOH); Global warming potential (GWP) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925009651
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:399:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925009651

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/bibliographic
http://www.elsevier. ... 405891/bibliographic

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126235

Access Statistics for this article

Applied Energy is currently edited by J. Yan

More articles in Applied Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().