Phase Change Material Heat Exchanger for Peak Power Demand Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peak power demand caused by heating and cooling in residential areas leads to costly over-capacity in power generation, and existing solutions for shifting electricity usage, such as battery storage and phase change materials, are expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) integrated with a three-way heat exchanger and a distribution fluid system to store and release heat energy, reducing the need for peak power usage by shifting thermal energy storage and release through heat exchangers, thereby lowering power costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electric heat pumps are introduced into the power grid to improve energy efficiency, then heating and cooling efficiency is improved, but peak power demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing thermal energy in phase change materials during off-peak periods when electricity demand is low. The PCM absorbs and stores thermal energy when electricity rates are lower, then releases this stored energy during on-peak periods to meet heating and cooling demands without requiring additional peak power generation capacity.
2Power
If power utilities provide enough electrical power generating capacity to meet peak demand, then peak power demand is met, but over-capacity during off-peak periods occurs leading to lower return on investment
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material acts as an intermediary between the power grid and the heating/cooling load. It decouples the timing of energy generation from energy consumption by storing excess thermal energy during off-peak periods and releasing it during on-peak periods, allowing utilities to operate at optimal capacity without over-building for peak demand.
3Quantity of substance
If phase change materials are used for storing thermal energy during off-peak periods, then thermal energy storage is achieved, but cost effectiveness and high-performance product creation have not been successful
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the phase change material storage function with the existing heat pump and distribution system into an integrated thermal energy storage system. By combining these components, the system achieves cost effectiveness by utilizing existing infrastructure while adding PCM-based storage, avoiding the need for separate expensive storage systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces peak power demand by efficiently storing and releasing thermal energy, lowering costs for power utilities and reducing emissions, while improving energy usage balance.
Implementation Method 1
Phase change materials, also abbreviated in the present disclosure as 'PCM', have also been proposed for storing thermal energy generated during an off-peak period for use during an on-peak period
Implementation Method 2
a phase change material for selectively storing heating and cooling potential
Implementation Method 3
the interface permits the transfer of heating and cooling potential between the heat exchange apparatus and the phase change material
Implementation Method 4
a distribution apparatus for selectively distributing heating and cooling to the thermal load from a distribution fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system for selectively heating and cooling including a three-way heat exchange apparatus, a source apparatus for selectively heating and cooling a source fluid, a phase change material for selectively storing heating and cooling potential, and a distribution apparatus for selectively distributing heating and cooling a distribution fluid, wherein the three-way heat exchange apparatus is connected to the phase change material by an interface between the heat exchange apparatus and the phase change material.