A Model for Energy Retrieval from a Thermal Storage

Abstract

In a number of hybrid systems for space or water heating (i.e. those which include components for solar collection and storage in addition to a conventional plant), the collected energy is stored and later retrieved to cover the heating demand. The system is shown in Fig. 1, where one can notice that:

• The heat exchanger (E), which is responsible for the retrieval of stored energy, is generally cooled by water at the conditions of the mains;

• auxiliary energy can be delivered to, or water from the mains can be mixed with the preheated water in an integration box (I), whose operation modes will be later discussed.