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Long-Term Monitoring of Sensible Thermal Storage in an Extremely Cold Region

Author

Listed:
  • Getu Hailu

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, ECB 301K, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA)

  • Philip Hayes

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, ECB 301K, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA)

  • Mark Masteller

    (Bristol Bay Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Box 1070, 527 Seward Street, Dillingham, AK 99576, USA)

Abstract

We present more than one-year of monitoring results from a thermal energy storage system located in a very cold place with a long winter season. The studied house is in Palmer city, Alaska (~62° N, ~149° W). The house is equipped with solar PV for electricity production and solar thermal collectors which were linked to a sensible thermal energy storage system which is underneath the house’s normally unoccupied garage and storage space. Sensors were installed in the thermal storage and solar thermal collector array to monitor system temperatures. In addition, TRNSYS was used for numerical simulation and the results were compared to experimental ones. The maximum observed garage ambient temperature was ~28 °C while the simulated maximum ambient garage temperature was found to be ~22 °C. Results indicate that seasonal solar thermal storages are viable options for reducing the cost of energy in a region with extended freezing periods. This is significant for Alaska where the cost of energy is 3–5 times the national average.

Suggested Citation

  • Getu Hailu & Philip Hayes & Mark Masteller, 2019. "Long-Term Monitoring of Sensible Thermal Storage in an Extremely Cold Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:9:p:1821-:d:230785
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Getu Hailu & Philip Hayes & Mark Masteller, 2017. "Seasonal Solar Thermal Energy Sand-Bed Storage in a Region with Extended Freezing Periods: Part I Experimental Investigation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Flynn, Ciarán & Sirén, Kai, 2015. "Influence of location and design on the performance of a solar district heating system equipped with borehole seasonal storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 377-388.
    3. Baglivo, Cristina & Congedo, Paolo Maria, 2016. "High performance precast external walls for cold climate by a multi-criteria methodology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 561-576.
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    Cited by:

    1. Caner Çuhac & Anne Mäkiranta & Petri Välisuo & Erkki Hiltunen & Mohammed Elmusrati, 2020. "Temperature Measurements on a Solar and Low Enthalpy Geothermal Open-Air Asphalt Surface Platform in a Cold Climate Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Magdalena Nemś, 2020. "Experimental Determination of the Influence of Shape on the Heat Transfer Process in a Crushed Granite Storage Bed," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Teguh Hady Ariwibowo & Akio Miyara, 2020. "Thermal Characteristics of Slinky-Coil Ground Heat Exchanger with Discrete Double Inclined Ribs," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-17, August.

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