Experimental analysis of a 30 kWh water/ice-based latent thermal energy storage

The ongoing climate crisis and the challenges posed by climate change have underlined the critical importance of renewable energy sources in recent decades, in order to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. Renewable energy technologies, including photovoltaic and wind power systems, are inherently intermittent in their energy production. However, many energy consumption processes, ranging from industrial operations to space cooling, demand a continuous and reliable energy supply. In this context, latent thermal energy storage (LTES) systems emerge as one of the most promising solutions to address these challenges. LTES systems enable the storage of a significantly higher amount of energy per unit volume compared to sensible heat storage, exploiting the most from the solid-liquid phase change process. In this study, a commercial roll-bond- based LTES unit with a storage capacity of 30 kWh, utilizing water as the phase change material (PCM), is experimentally evaluated. The experimental evaluation includes charging and discharging phases at constant temperatures of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) and various flow rates in order to evaluate different viable control strategies to be applied to the latent storage when coupled in a system composed of a PV-powered off-grid cold room designed for food preservation located in different areas of Italy and Africa where the electrical grid connection is non-available