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Experimental and numerical investigations on a novel partitioned pit energy storage for solar heating systems

Author

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  • Wu, Gang
  • Tao, Yao
  • Chen, Songping
  • Zhou, Zhuo
  • Wang, Yong
  • Wu, Weilan

Abstract

This study proposes a novel partitioned pit thermal energy storage (PTES) design for short-term and cross-seasonal solar thermal energy storage. Based on the structure of a conventional thermal storage system, the new design divides the storage into multiple independent units, enabling simultaneous charging and discharging in different zones to adapt to varying conditions of solar heating. Using experimental tests and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, this study compares the temperature distribution and dynamic response of the novel partitioned PTES and the conventional PTES. Under daytime solar charging and nighttime static storage conditions, the overall thermal storage performance was systematically evaluated via energy and exergy analysis. Results show that the novel PTES has significant advantages for improving stored heat quality and enhancing storage efficiency. Moreover, compared with conventional PTES, it allows zonal charge and discharge, which decouples the charge-discharge processes and avoids thermal quality degradation. The overall energy storage efficiency of the new PTES system increased by 19.9%, while the overall exergy storage efficiency improved by 9.2%. Simultaneously, the useful energy and exergy storage capacity were significantly optimized. This improvement enhances the system's responsiveness and thermal storage efficiency, and significantly increases the proportion of direct solar heating in energy supply.

Suggested Citation

  • Wu, Gang & Tao, Yao & Chen, Songping & Zhou, Zhuo & Wang, Yong & Wu, Weilan, 2026. "Experimental and numerical investigations on a novel partitioned pit energy storage for solar heating systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:360:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226018815
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.141774
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