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Thermal Science 2023 Volume 27, Issue 4 Part A, Pages: 2935-2946
https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI220913025S
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Simulation and modeling of a solar-aided underground energy storage system

Saglam Ozdamar Hazel (Baskale Vocational School, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Tusba, Van, Turkey)
Ozdamar Seyit (Institute of Science, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Tusba, Van, Turkey)
Mert Suha Orcun (Department of Natural Gas and Petroleum Engineering, Iskenderun Technical University, ISTE, Iskenderun, Hatay, Turkey), orcun.mert@iste.edu.tr, orcunmert@gmail.com

The significance of energy storage methods and related R and D studies are increasing due to the depletion of fossil fuels, rising energy prices, and growing environmental concerns. Storage of energy means elimination of practical concerns for the time difference between the time when the energy is produced and when it’s needed. The importance of producing and storing energy through renewable sources is increasing every day, especially in developing countries like Turkiye, as such countries would like to reduce their dependence on foreign sources. This study focuses on an underground thermal energy storage system that was modeled for Van Region, using M-file program. The performance of an isolated day heat system as a thermal energy storage was investigated, and the thermal energy storage capacity of the system was researched for a 5 m × 5 m × 5 m soil area located on the Van Yuzuncu Yil University Campus. The temperature distribution, heat loss, and efficiency calculations were performed for a complete year and 3-D representations of the findings were obtained. The lowest efficiencies were observed in May, while the highest efficiencies were observed in July. It was found that the maximum heat loss from the system took place during December and January, and the system could be easily and effectively become a heating source for a single household with the addition of a heat pump.

Keywords: Thermal Energy Storage, Heat Transfer, Finite Element Method, underground thermal energy storage, Energy Efficiency

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