CNR-Test Centre (TC)

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CNR – Test Center for Thermal Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies

TA22 – CNR-Test Centre (TC) 

Location

c/o CNR-ITAE, Salita Santa Lucia Sopra Contesse, 5

98126 Messina,  Italy 

Description

The testing centre for thermal energy storage and conversion technologies provides a full chain of characterisation from materials up to the system level. The research infrastructure consists of a material laboratory, a testing rig for water-to-water components, small-scale storage and heat pumps prototypes characterisation, and a testing rig for water-to-water large-scale storage and heat pumps units.

Testing Capabilities

Various experiments can be conducted using the described infrastructure to test thermal energy storage devices and heat converters. These include evaluating the performance and efficiency of heat pumps and chillers under different operating conditions, measuring the coefficient of performance (COP) at varying temperatures and pressures, assessing the cooling capacity and energy efficiency of chillers at various load conditions and ambient temperatures, and investigating the charging and discharging cycles of thermal energy storage systems. Additional experiments can involve measuring the thermal losses and efficiency of different storage materials and designs, evaluating the heat transfer efficiency of various heat exchanger designs, and analysing the impact of flow rates and temperature differentials on heat exchanger performance. System integration and optimisation experiments can be conducted to test the combined setup of heat pumps, chillers, and thermal storage systems, and optimising control strategies for maximum efficiency. Dynamic response analysis can be performed to study how thermal energy systems respond to changes in load and environmental conditions, evaluating stability and control mechanisms under transient conditions. Energy consumption and savings assessments can measure overall energy use under different scenarios, analysing potential energy savings and cost reductions through system improvements and optimisations. These experiments provide valuable data for enhancing the design, efficiency, and reliability of thermal energy storage devices and heat converters.

Technical Equipment

The infrastructure features two large test benches designed to test thermal energy storage devices and heat converters, such as heat pumps and chillers. These benches are equipped with high-accuracy temperature sensors, flow meters, energy meters, and pressure gauges. These instruments enable precise measurement of all energy streams entering and exiting the system under test.

Additional information

Technology Readiness Level: 7 or above

Special considerations: N/A 

Technology clusters: Energy Storage

Website: http://www.itae.cnr.it

Availability: All year

Provision of tools to prepare data sets in a FAIR way:  Yes 

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