Thermal batteries are heat-storage devices. They have gained prominence recently as a decarbonization solution,
Thermal batteries are heat-storage devices. They have gained prominence recently as a decarbonization solution with the potential to have large-scale impact, while benefiting their users in other ways like cost conservation and reliability. The technology is so exciting that readers of MIT’s Technology Review officially selected it as one of the top 10 breakthrough technologies in 2024.
So, what are thermal batteries? How do they work? Where are they used? This article delves into the details, while also discussing how thermal batteries are being used in a revolutionary Intellihot product.
Thermal batteries are devices that can convert electricity to heat energy, and store it for later use. Storing heat isn’t a new concept. However, heat storage technology in the form of thermal batteries has advanced to be considerably more efficient and reliable. Such innovations have increased the application potential of thermal batteries.
So far, thermal batteries have mainly been used in some industrial applications. However, the prospect of using them for new applications, including residential use, make them exciting as a sustainability solution. Let’s take a look at the application of thermal batteries.
Just like regular batteries, the storage of heat energy for later use has several applications. Presently, most of these are industrial or military applications. Let’s start by looking at how Intellihot uses thermal batteries.
Intellihot’s Electron Series of the world’s first tankless heat pump water heaters incorporates a revolutionary thermal battery. The heat pump component of the Electron Series uses electricity to capture heat energy from ambient air and stores it in the thermal component. Whenever there is a hot water demand, cold water gets heated by the heat stored in the thermal battery.
Hence, the thermal battery allows our Electron Series water heaters to have a tankless design: that is, not rely on a giant tank of stored water that is kept hot 24/7, saving space and energy. Moreover, our consumers can also save additional costs since the Electron prioritizes charging the thermal battery in off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper.
In other industries, thermal batteries can be used to capture waste heat generated by processes such as steel manufacturing. This stored heat can be used later, saving energy by not relying on additional heat generation.
Moreover, many combined heat and power systems use extra heat generated when producing electricity. This stored heat can be used for space heating.
Thermal batteries are also used in military and aerospace applications, like missiles and spacecraft technology.
As we mentioned before, thermal batteries store energy for later use. To be able to do so, thermal batteries are made of materials with a very specific criteria. The material should be able to quickly store heat energy, usually by the concept of phase change. Usually, this phase change is triggered when energy (commonly electricity) is available. Secondly, the material should also be able to store the heat with minimum loss of heat to surroundings (or dissipation).
When heat is needed for later use, a transfer liquid like water is usually used. The transfer liquid is passed over the heated thermal battery. When it comes in contact, the water gets heated up with the stored heat from the thermal battery. Then, the hot water is used to “carry” heat to the required application.
Let’s look at an example to understand this better. Here’s how the thermal battery in Intellihot’s Electron Series works. The thermal battery is made of a food-grade water-propylene glycol mixture. Using electricity, the mixture gets heated up and stores energy. Whenever hot water is needed, the incoming water is passed over the thermal battery. When the cold water comes in contact with the thermal battery’s heated water-propylene glycol mixture, it gets heated. Through a series of interconnected sensors, the system ensures that the water is heated to the desired temperature before being dispatched to the required fixture.
Thermal batteries are becoming increasingly popular as they provide a convenient solution to decarbonize emissions-intensive industrial applications. Processes that require heat like water heating or steel manufacturing have traditionally relied on non-renewable sources of energy like burning natural gas to generate large amounts of heat at very high temperatures. Thermal batteries allow these applications to rely on electricity with confidence. As the electric grid starts to move away from renewable sources, thermal batteries can help cut reliance on non-renewable energy sources further.
Usually, the use of electricity for large amounts of heat at high temperatures has been unreliable. However, with thermal batteries’ ability to collect and store heat for later use, this problem can be solved. Moreover, thermal batteries can be cost-effective with their ability to use off-peak electricity, making them a compelling solution for non-sustainable reasons as well.
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