Scientists in Spain have assessed the viability of 'power-to-heat-to-power storage' in a residential solar installation in Madrid. The technology could reduce electricity bills by more than 70% and would have a 12 to 15-year payback period, according to the researchers.
Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Madrid have examined the feasibility of storing power generated by rooftop solar as heat which can then be used to generate power when the sun isn't shining – 'power-to-heat-to-power storage,' or PHPS technology.
The household system in Madrid studied by the scientists included a highly efficient, thermally-driven heat pump and solar thermal collectors.
The 'trigeneration' system, or combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) technology includes two types of heat store: a low or medium-grade one for domestic hot water and space heating and a high-grade heat store for combined heat and power generation. The heat generated in the former can be used for cooling as well as heating demand.
A reference case was based on grid power consumption plus an electrically-driven heat pump for cooling.
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