Advancing next-generation cold storage: A comprehensive analysis of energy efficiency and life cycle cost assessment using clathrate hydrates

Clathrate hydrate cold storage technology represents an innovative advancement in energy storage, offering a strategic pathway for optimizing global energy consumption. This study pioneers the use of TRNSYS for dynamic simulations of hydrate cold storage systems, presenting the first comprehensive annual analysis of their operational characteristics. By benchmarking against ice cold storage and conventional refrigeration, key performance metrics—including energy efficiency, life cycle costs (LCCA), and system dynamics—were systematically examined. The study reveals distinct performance advantages, with the hydrate cold system achieving chiller and system COPs of up to 6.2 and 3.7, respectively. While single cooling mode incurred higher real-time costs—sometimes double those of combination mode—cumulative costs were greater in the latter. The interdependencies of cold charge ratios, energy efficiency improvements, and performance metrics were thoroughly analyzed. LCCA further demonstrated that investment risks could be mitigated by optimizing operating strategies, reducing discount rates, and extending system lifespan. These findings highlight the technological and economic feasibility of hydrate cold storage, positioning it as a next-generation solution with significant energy and cost-saving potential.