Operational strategies guideline for packed bed thermal energy storage systems

Thermal energy storage (TES) is presented as a proven element to reach a sustainable and efficient management of any thermally driven process. The inherent thermodynamic limitations associated to a thermal system, such as the unavailability of an appropriate heat source, thermal losses or improvable cycle efficiencies, justify the implementation of a TES. In practice, numerous industrial processes present noticeable enhancement opportunities according to the mentioned gaps. In these terms, solar-thermal power production, intensive heat demanding industries (steelmaking, glass, cement production etc.), or compressed air energy storage are representative examples with such optimization potential