Life cycle analysis of a combined sensible and latent heat thermal energy storage system

Sensible and latent heat energy storage systems are considered as promising components taken into consideration to decrease the difference between energy supply and demand. They can be potentially included in industrial contexts, where, using phase changing materials, high temperature heat waste from upstream processes can be stored and made available for the downstream ones. This can be considered a reliable methodology aimed at energy rationalization and preservation (counterpart from other conventional sources based on fossil fuels or natural gas). This potentially represents an environmental benefit for fossil resources preservation, and for avoiding any environmental aspects related to fossil fuels combustion, responsible for a release into the environment of harmful substances. In this work, the environmental benefits regarding production, end of life, and use stages of the combined latent and sensible heat energy storage systems have been investigated by means of Life Cycle Analysis. The most important flows crossing the energy storage systems as well as the most important impacts and damages related to their life cycle have been investigated. Moreover, its potential sustainability in comparison to other sources used to provide thermal energy (i.e. natural gas) was investigated. Finally, its potential time of use, over which the whole environmental impact and the widest group of impact categories and damages are abated, was calculated (Pay-back time). The potential environmental effects on human health, ecosystems and resources showed payback times of 5.30, 1.30 and 0.61 yr, for the Combined Sensible and Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage system was found.