SolSpaces – Testing and Performance Analysis of a Segmented Sorption Store for Solar Thermal Space Heating

An entirely solar based supply of heat for energy efficient buildings is the motivation for the activities within the research project SolSpaces. A solar heating system, including a sorption store for seasonal energy storage, has been developed to approach this objective. Sorption processes are well suited for long term energy storage, due to the quasi loss free storage of energy and the high energy storage density, compared to water stores. However, large sorption stores go along with some kind of challenges concerning the efficient supply of the stored heat. A new sorption store, subdivided into several segments, has been developed to meet the requirements for an efficient heat supply despite the relatively large size of the store. The segmentation leads to an improved operation behaviour. The segmented sorption store has been built up in full-scale in a research building for testing and demonstration. Experimental investigations are carried out to analyse the achievable temperature lift and charging and discharging power and to demonstrate the thermal performance of the store. Key parameters, such as energy storage density, will be determined. In this paper, the solar heating concept will be presented, focussing on the segmented sorption store. The design of the sorption store will be explained, experimental results and the operation behaviour will be shown and the performance will be discussed.