MAX-T
MAX-T project regards the experimental verification of a Method for Amplifying the Exergy of Thermoclines (MAX-T). The MAX-T applies to solar-thermal energy storage such as solar domestic hot water tanks, DHWT, and Thermal Energy Storage in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants.A first objective is to demonstrate that the method that achieve an exergy level that is equal to at least 99% of that for the two-tank (hot and cold) TES in CSP plants. For the DHWT, the experimental objective is to verify that the exergy that can be achieved by using the MAX-T is at least 60% larger than the current state-of-the-art. Methodology and activities: These entail the preparation of laboratory scaled TES for the HW and molten salt TES. Prototype units of the MAX-T will also be prepared. The third activity concerns experimental test to ascertain the exergy of each of these TES during thermal charging and discharging without the MAX-T. Tests will be repeated with the deployment of the MAX-T and compare the exergy to the preceding tests. In all the tests, the main measurement instrument is an array of thermocouples for providing transient fluid temperature readings in the TES axial direction. Anticipated results and Impact: The aforesaid objectives have been based on mathematical model predictions, namely, Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD.
For CSP power generation, it has been calculated that the levelized cost of storage, LCOS, should drop by at least 40%. A further consequence is that the levelized cost of electricity LCOE, for CSP should decrease by at least 5%. For the solar DHWT, the LCO-Hot Water should decrease by at least 25%. The expected MAX-T benefits should lead to socioeconomic benefits to the local DHWT industry as well as to the CSP sector at global level. The lower the cost of renewable energy the more is the job creation capacity.
Contact: Dr. Marios C Georgiou, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +357 22 208 734
Additional Info
- Acronym: MAX-T
- Center: EEWRC
- Funding Source: Research Innovation Foundation / RESTART PROGRAMME 2016 - 2020
- CyI Funding: 40,000
- Funding Period: 9 months
- Starting Date: May 2024
- End Date: February 2025
- Coordinator: The Cyprus Institute
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Partners:
The Cyprus Institute
