Seasonal Storage of Thermal Energy with Radiatively Heated Storage Walls

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Abstract
It is shown by calculations that if a highly effective translucent insulating material were available a storage system with energy collecting walls could be constructed. Conditions are derived under which the thermal losses in midwinter are compensated by radiative gains. Thus effective longterm storage becomes possible. Several variations of this principle are considered in detail: a cubic storage system, a storage element incorporated into the roof of a building and an earth storage system. It is demonstrated that with an overall heat transfer coefficient of 0.2 W/m2K a water tank of 50 to 100 m3 is sufficient for the thermal energy needs of a single family dwelling.

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