The Heatventors Intelligent Thermal Battery is an active-passive device. It is an active part of the thermal engineering system in terms of optimizing the control of the heating/cooling unit within a fine framework. It is a passive part of the original control circuit in that it does not use its own energy (beyond the minimum power requirement of the controller's chips) for its operation. It is also an active-passive element of the thermal engineering system because it acts as a thermal energy storage device during the charging cycle as a consumer and as an energy producer during the discharge cycle.

 

Energy savings for the entire thermal system can thus be achieved not only from the efficiency parameters of the HeatTank Thermal Battery, but also from the control function of the intelligent controller affecting the entire circuit, i.e. from setting an optimal operating range. Thus, the intelligence of the Thermal Battery, coupled with the efficiency of the energy storage function (size, weight, energy density, power dynamics) as an active and smart new element of the control circuit, optimizes the operation of the control circuit in together with the heating/cooling unit (energy saving, use of cheap electricity, noise reduction of HVAC system in the city).

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Since thermal energy systems have a high thermal inertia, their slow process from a controlling point of view smooths out the "digital" (On/Off) operation of the cooling/heating unit. The essential fine-tuning of the control system requires the fastest possible intervention from the "new element", i.e. dynamic performance. The patented internal design of the HeatVentors Thermal Battery is designed for the fastest possible playback of discharge/charge speeds, i.e. for the efficient execution function of controlling intelligence. This capability ultimately determines the maximum frequency of meaningful interventions. 

These two features (control intelligence and thermal performance), combined with the high energy density of our PCM materials with variable storage temperatures, result in energy savings in the system. Thus, the entire cooling/heating system actually consumes less (electricity) energy, because the production of thermal energy for the same expected indoor comfort or technology becomes more efficient. The cost savings come from the energy deficit, and the reduction in carbon emissions is real! (No secondary emission either) By comparison, cooling/heating circuits connected to photovoltaic systems consume the same amount of energy, only they "make" electricity cheaper. They save no energy; however they save costs.

 

Examples of energy saving methods of the Intelligent Thermal Battery controller that are optimally, together, and not exclusively used to save money. The sizing of the Thermal Battery Pack (capacity, PCM material,...) also determines the saving rate and usability of these modes:

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PEAK MANAGEMENT - Daily production-consumption optimization (cooling):
On a warm summer day, between 2 and 3 a.m., in addition to cooling the empty building, a chiller is working on very low partial load or is switched off. The temperature of the external air is 15-20 degrees lower than during the day, keeping the duty point of the chiller in a more f state from the energy consumption point of view, thus our controller charges the Thermal Battery. Although the "resting" chiller then consumes extra energy (compared to the basic case), after 10-12 hours, in the early afternoon the external temperature increases to 30% °C, the thermal battery discharged to support the chiller significantly improving the otherwise inefficient energy production of the, thus saving energy. (15-35%)

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FREE-COOLING

The idealized state of the first case. When the external air temperature is lower than the cooling temperature, the cooling potential of the external air can be exploited, so that cooling energy can be generated without operating the compressor of the cooling system (the compressor is responsible for consuming 90+% of the electricity). Thus, the "cost" of charging the storage is not deducted from the energy balance generated by the added value of discharge. (15-45%)

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ENERGY ON DEMAND

Some chillers and heating units are also powered by electricity. The Intelligent Thermal Battery is charged when electricity is available cheaper within days/weeks (e.g., from solar panels, or from energy suppliers). The energy-on-demand services for cooling/heating may vary from country to country. (20-50%)

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OPERATION POINT MONITORING AND OPTIMIZATION
Like car engines, chillers and heating units have an optimal range of operation/consumption. The characteristics describing this are non-linear, especially at the tip of the operating range, where consumption increases and the machine’s "stressed operation” becomes inefficient and thus costly. The aim is therefore to maintain an optimal operating range of the entire system. If the thermal energy demand is less than this, the Intelligent Thermal Battery will self-charge, while for higher demand, the machines can operate at the lower level by discharging the storage.
The service life of cooling/heating machines operating within the optimal range increases and maintenance costs (wear & tear) are reduced by „gentler” use. (5-20%)

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