Concentrated Heat Storage for Solar Heating
Abstract
The FP7 sponsored DEARSUN project (short for 'DEvelopment of a direct solAR heating System capable of covering a full-year thermal load UsiNg high temperature thermal storage') was initiated in 2008 to develop a solar thermal heating system capable of covering the full-year heat and hot water load of a single family house using high temperature thermal storage. ACE Group with a team of European solar thermal experts, research institutions and industrial partners designed and optimized the system combining off-the shelf and innovative components (heat transfer fluid, highly insulated storage tanks, control system) with the aim of creating an efficient, affordable and reliable solar thermal solution operating at high temperature for small and medium sized buildings. In 2009, the first prototype system was produced and installed on a pilot home. Actual performance of the prototype system over the 2009-2010 heating period has been closely monitored using web applications and evaluated against simulations and system performance expectations demonstrating the promising potential of this renewable energy solution for homes in south and central Europe.