Buildings (< 50 kWh/day). Integrated Batteries with Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Peak Shaving and Load Management: The HYBUILD Example

The continuous increasing of renewable-based energy systems, both for heating and power generation, at building level requires the development of innovative compact hybrid energy storages. These technologies are able to support the flexible operation of such complex systems, increasing the exploitability of renewables and the overall system efficiency. In this chapter, a brief overview of different storage technologies, such as thermal, electric and hybrid, at building level is provided, mostly focusing on their integration with onsite renewable generation and smart grids. The analysis highlights the relevant role of flexible energy storages at building level as well as the lack of innovative components able to provide multiple services (e.g. heating, cooling, domestic hot water and power) to buildings. In such a background, the experience carried out in the framework of the EU-funded HYBUILD project is described. The overall concept, integrating electric batteries, latent, and thermochemical storages, with highly efficient reversible heat pumps is described, showing the different options developed for continental and mediterranean climates. The fully integrated Mediterranean system, validated both at lab-scale and in a demo building, demonstrated the ability of increasing the share of renewables in buildings, maximizing the self-consumption and increasing the overall energy efficiency of the system.