Optimizing Homes with Modular TES
The transition to electrified heating and cooling (H&C) systems powered by renewable energy sources (RES) is a key step towards achieving carbon-neutral buildings in the EU. This is a reason why it is crucial to maximize on-site RES self-consumption and increase the use of grid-supplied renewable energy when available. Therefore, the primary goal of the ThumbsUp project, is to unlock the potential of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) solutions at a building level in order to foment decentralized approach to grid flexibility.
To enhance building energy efficiency project partners are developing two modular solutions: FractLES and SorTES technologies. FractLES, based on phase change materials (PCM), is designed for heating, cooling, or domestic hot water (DHW), with each unit dedicated to a specific function. SorTES, utilizing thermochemical materials (TCM), operates in both heating and cooling modes. By reducing electricity consumption and balancing heat pump demand, both systems enhance energy efficiency and improve system flexibility.
Overall FractLES connection
Finding the right balance between size and effect
However, developing TES systems that are both compact and high performing is a significant challenge. In residential settings in particular, space availability is extremely limited, which means the systems must be not only efficient, but also modular, easily installable, and able to operate with minimal user intervention. Furthermore, compact TES must maintain sufficient storage capacity to be truly effective in daily and seasonal applications — a difficult balance to achieve.
To ensure high product quality, our innovation assessment and validation strategy includes advanced control rules that are under development to ensure the effective integration of these TES technologies. These rules must consider dynamic demand, PV surplus fluctuations, and the timing of heat pump operation to minimize grid stress and energy waste.
Modeling and simulation
By using modular units of equal capacity, the modeling and simulation process is streamlined, allowing the number of TES modules to be adapted according to the specific thermal demands of each building, optimizing energy management and improving overall system performance.
Integration of centralized FractLES for heating in charging and discharging cycles
The optimization process aims to minimize heat pump and grid electricity consumption by maximizing the utilization of photovoltaic (PV) surplus for charging and strategically managing discharge periods as illustrated in the graph above.
Collaborating to overcome common challenges
From a technical standpoint, the project currently faces several key challenges:
- Ensuring thermal stability and long-term reliability of both PCM and TCM materials, especially under repeated charge/discharge cycles.
- Material compatibility, particularly between the storage materials and heat exchanger components such as aluminum.
- Designing control algorithms that not only maximize self-consumption of PV energy but also ensure system responsiveness to real-time demand and variable operating conditions.
To overcome the abovementioned challenges, the team is adopting a multi-pronged approach: material development, component-level testing, and system-level simulations are being conducted in parallel. This allows early identification of issues and fast iteration in both the FractLES and SorTES tracks.
Moreover, the collaboration with our sister projects in the TES Cluster has been key as they are facing similar challenges. Hence, the joint workshop being organized in the framework of the ISCET Conference aims to provide the technical coordinators and other project partners the opportunity to lift common challenges and brainstorm around possible solutions - or at least compare notes on the strategies and solutions to be implemented.
Contact person
