Phase change materials for thermal storage of solar energy

Purpose and goal

Thermodynamic calculations have been performed at KTH, increasing the knowledge in the area of solidification and melting of aluminium alloys. CFD simulations performed at Azelio and KTH contribute to the design of the energy storage system developed by Azelio. The installation of Azelio’s energy storage system, including the stirling engine for electricity production, was completed in Ouarzazate, Morocco in December 2019. The installation was inaugurated on March 5th 2020.

Expected results and effects

In particular, the thermodynamic calculations performed at KTH have increased the knowledge about the significance of trace elements like iron and manganese, allowing Azelio to broaden the specification for the alloy which is used in the company’s thermal storage. This leads to a lower cost for the product, effectively increasing the competitiveness for Azelio´s energy storage system.

Planned approach and implementation

A successful execution of the first part resulted in a recommended alloy with 5% lower cost than the one previously used. The second part resulted in the completed installation of Azelio’s energy storage system in Ouarzazate, Morocco. Due to falling prices of photovoltaic panels, Azelio´s energy storage is now charged with electricity from such, instead of as previously designed, directly with heat from the sun. The storage is charged by a newly developed system using an immersed heater in a liquid sodium loop. The installation was inaugurated on March 5th 2020.