Eurotherm Seminar #119: Contribution of thermal energy storage towards decarbonization (Lleida, 2026)

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https://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/470355

It is a pleasure for Prof. Luisa F. Cabeza and the GREiA research team at the University of Lleida (Spain) to organize the Eurotherm seminar #119: Contribution of thermal energy storage towards decarbonization from May 13th to 15th, 2026, in Lleida (Spain). This seminar will bring together researchers and practitioners from academia and industry, who are working in the rapidly expanding field of thermal energy storage (TES). The most recent trends in such areas as novel storage materials, advanced storage concepts and configurations, TES for renewable energy systems, TES in buildings and industry, use of advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence in TES, and social, environmental, and educational aspects. Theoretical, numerical, and experimental approaches will be presented for the entire range of applications, from material characterization to complete storage systems.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 141

Open Access
From Sound to Energy Insight: AI-Driven Acoustic State-of-Charge Monitoring of Phase Change Material Energy Storages
(Universitat de Lleida, 2026-05) Brütting, Michael; Ebert, Hans-Peter
Accurate state-of-charge (SoC) estimation in latent heat storage systems is difficult because temperature sensors cannot resolve the isothermal phase transition of phase change materials (PCMs). This work presents a non-invasive acoustic method combined with artificial intelligence to determine the SoC of a salt-hydrate PCM storage in real time. Broadband sound chirps were transmitted through the storage, and spectrogram features of the received signals were used to train a convolutional neural network (CNN). The reference SoC was derived from an enthalpy-based energy balance with heat-loss correction. The CNN achieved a mean absolute error of 1.1 % for trained heating rates and 2.6 % for unseen intermediate ramps, with largest deviations at low SoC where acoustic contrast weakens. The results demonstrate that AI-supported acoustics enable robust, volume-integrated SoC estimation and offer a promising alternative to conventional sensing in latent heat storage systems.
Open Access
Thermal Energy Storage of Graphite Concrete Elevated at High Temperatures
(Universitat de Lleida, 2026-05) Yang, In-Hwan; Jeong, Seung-Tae
This study examined the thermal properties and heat transfer characteristics of concrete containing graphite under high-temperature conditions for application as a heat transfer medium for thermal energy storage. The thermal properties of concrete with different graphite contents at room temperature and a high temperature were investigated. The unit weight and thermal conductivity of concrete significantly decreased after one thermal cycle, while the values remained almost constant after the second thermal cycle. The thermal conductivity of concrete containing graphite was greater than that of conventional concrete. In addition, the heat transfer performance of concrete blocks was measured under different graphite contents. The temperature distribution and thermal energy of each concrete block were analyzed at different thermal cycles. The temperature of the concrete blocks increased with increasing graphite content.
Open Access
Novel salt sulfate hydrate libraries for thermochemical energy storage
(Universitat de Lleida, 2026-05) Smith, Jakob; Weinberger, Peter; Werner, Andreas
The aim of handing down sustainable technologies to future generations can only be accomplished via a broad range of research approaches to sustainability transformations. Decarbonization requires a variety of energy storage technologies that fit diverse application needs. Thermochemical energy storage (TCES) materials proffer high energy storage densities, though prevalent issues such as particle degradation and unfavorable kinetics must be addressed. The VIENNA TCES-database made us aware of the Tutton salts, A2M(XO4)2⋅6H2O, (X = S or Se), which despite previous study, had remained poorly characterized with regard to the effect of cation substitution. In addition to the synthesis and characterization of 41 mixed Tutton salts with the composition K2Zn1-xMx (SO4)2⋅6H2O (M = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu), 30 salts of the form M1-xM2xSO4·nH2O (M, M2 = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) have been also synthesized and characterized.
Open Access
Design and experimental testing of TPMS-based 3D-printed heat exchangers for thermochemical energy storage manufactured
(Universitat de Lleida, 2026-05) Fotia, Antonio; Chairi, Mohamed; Palomba, Valeria
The use of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) geometries in heat exchanger design has gained significant interest due to their excellent surface area-to-volume ratio and potential for enhanced heat transfer. However, a systematic study and proof of concept of relevant-scale devices under operating conditions is missing. This study focuses on the development and experimental testing of TPMS-based heat exchangers to evaluate their heat transfer efficiency. Once the optimal design parameters are identified, the heat exchangers are prototyped using additive manufacturing techniques. Thermal behavior of the fabricated heat exchangers under typical operating conditions for a thermochemical energy storage is presented.
Open Access
Experimental determination of dynamic thermal properties of EPDM/NBR panels with a shape stabilized Phase Change Material based on summer temperatures in Italy
(Universitat de Lleida, 2026-05) Valentini, Francesco; Danovska, Maja; Sacchet, Sereno; Prada, Alessandro; Fambri, Luca; Dorigato, Andrea; Pegoretti, Alessandro; Grigiante, Maurizio
In this work, the evaluation of E-PCM panels based on an elastomeric matrix containing a shape-stabilized paraffinic phase change material with a melting point of 28 °C was performed in a climatic chamber, simulating the summer daily temperature profile of four geographical locations in Italy at different latitudes. Results showed that with a peak of 33 °C in the external temperature, the phase change material limited the internal one at 27 °C with a maximum delay in the peak temperature of 6 h, an overall decrement factor of 0.4, time lag of 3 h and stored energy of 740 kJ/m2 per day. Aerogel panels, used as reference material, despite the low thermal conductivity but due to the limited heat capacity and low characteristic admittance, were unable to provide an effective insulation during summer conditions.

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