A multi-domain coordinated control strategy for PV direct-driven ice storage systems: Enhancing efficiency and supply-demand matching via dynamic energy regulation

Driven by global “dual carbon” goals, photovoltaic (PV)-driven cold thermal energy storage (CTES) offers an efficient alternative to battery-based off-grid systems. However, current control strategies focus only on matching compressor speed to PV fluctuations, lacking dynamic response to storage and cooling demands. This limits the system's ice storage capacity and overall efficiency. To address this, a multi-domain dynamic regulation strategy (POM) is proposed, matching PV output with storage demand. A coordinated control model is established, integrating PV, cooling, and storage domains. The strategy introduces ice formation setpoints and optimizes condensation and evaporation temperatures. PID parameters are tuned via genetic algorithm optimization, ensuring stable and efficient operation. An experimental PV direct-driven ice storage platform is developed to validate the model. The POM strategy is compared with the existing constant setpoint (CSP) and power-oriented (PO) controls in terms of system performance and energy efficiency. Results show that the model accurately predicts key parameters and aligns well with experimental data. Compared with CSP and PO, POM significantly increases compressor speed, lowers evaporation temperature, accelerates ice formation, and enhances storage capacity. Under POM, the system COP improves by 16 %, solar cooling efficiency increases by 46 % and 19 %, and ITUE improves by 50 %. Notably, compared to existing studies, the system COP increases by at least 45 %, confirming the superior energy performance and adaptability of the proposed strategy.