Organic PCM thermal storage.

The paper presents the preliminary data collected during the real operation of a Latent Thermal Energy Storage (LTES) filled with organic Phase Change Material (PCM). The installation was designed for a single dwelling that uses a radiant heating system served by a heat pump. A PV array helps the electricity self-production, and the main control system software detects the household electrical balance between auto-production, home consumptions, and surplus availability. Whenever the surplus makes available energy to run the heat pump, this energy is used to charge the LTES. During evening and/or night, the thermal energy storage releases the stored heat to satisfy the energy demands of the household.