A comparison of the field performance of thermal energy storage (TES) and conventional chiller systems

The field performance of thermal energy storage (TES) systems was compared to the “simulated field performance” of conventional systems. Field data for several TES sites, provided by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), were analysed using a “mean-day” and “peak-day” approach. Parameters were developed that allow a meaningful and comprehensive performance comparison of TES and conventional systems. Energy use (kW/ton), as well as the direct power costs of ice, chilled water and eutectic salt systems were compared to that for conventional systems. This showed that the field performance of TES systems is better than expected.