YARA: Steam grid balancing in integrated chemical plant unlocks new energy flexibility
Integrating a 4 MWh ThermalBattery™, directly connecting to the steam grid at one of Yara’s international production facilities.
MASDAR: First ThermalBattery™ success in a live setting opens new horizons
ORGANIZATION
Masdar Institute Solar Platform
INDUSTRY
n/a
SECTOR
n/a
LOCATION(S)
UAE
YEAR(S)
2015
STATUS
Pilot
In 2015, ENERGYNEST installed and commissioned our ThermalBattery™ pilot with combined capacity of 1 MWhth at the Masdar Institute Solar Platform (MISP) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The system was operated on a continuous basis, with an energy cycling profile resembling operations in power plants and industrial applications.
We have compared the measured performance of the ThermalBattery™ and HEATCRETE® over several thousand operating hours, and the results show nearly indistinguishable differences between measured and predicted performance. Post-operation analysis verified there was no significant degradation of material or impact on infrastructure integrity.
Collaboration with major companies such as SIEMENS (control systems) and DOW Chemical (HTF), plus technology verification by Masdar Institute and independent third parties including DNV GL and Fichtner validates our ThermalBattery™ renewable storage system.
“The demonstrated and measured long-term effect of the ThermalBattery™ system installed and tested at the MISP shows no sign of change in performance, and proves the operational capabilities of the technology and modular ENERGYNEST ThermalBattery™ design.”
Dr. Nicolas Calvet, Associate Professor, Masdar Institute of Science & Technology
Main features
The key components of our ThermalBattery™ include a high-performance type of concrete-like storage material (HEATCRETE®) and steel; the main constituents for the storage material and the steel can be sourced globally. The system simplicity and use of low-cost materials results in very low CAPEX as well as nearly negligible OPEX throughout the lifetime of the ThermalBattery™. Typical life time is minimum 30 years and more likely over 50 years.
Energy in the form of heat at high temperature is transferred to the ThermalBattery™ using a heat transfer fluid (HTF) inside pipes cast into the ThermalBattery™ elements. There is no direct contact between the heat transfer fluid and HEATCRETE®, and the thermal elements with steel piping are compatible with common HTFs such as thermal oil, water/steam or compressed gas etc., which enable straightforward integration within a wide range of applications.
Published Results
The results of the pilot have been published in a peer reviewed article.
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