FlexORCstorage – Development of distributed energy storage systems energy efficiency and low cost distributed energy storage systems, based on thermal solutions, in the region of Navarra.

The main objective of the project is to develop concepts of distributed systems for energy storage, based on thermal storage, ORC cycles (Rankine Cycles with Organic fluids instead of water vapor) and other thermal cycles and machines, with flexibility for self-consumption and also integration into the electrical grid. In particular, emphasis is placed on the concept of integrated storage in thermal machines incorporating the CHP (Combined Heat and Power) concept of integral energy utilization in the thermodynamic cycles used.

In this way, the best of thermal technology (low cost per unit of stored energy) is obtained and all the energy is used in the form of combined heat + power, thanks to the distributed concept and the flexibility of installation and use. These systems are oriented to the future market, already incipient, of renewable energy surpluses in certain periods of time, and self-consumption. The project will include both research and conceptual investigation of improvements in innovations to thermodynamic cycles and design, construction and testing of an innovative distributed energy storage system based on a 3 kW ORC cycle at UPNA.

CENER is the Coordinator of the project and will also lead the following activities:

• Modelling and Simulation of Thermodynamic Cycles and Thermal Systems: Implementation of advanced computational models that simulate the behaviour of the electro-thermal storage system.
• Technical-economic optimization of systems: Power-to-heat-to-(Power+Heat) (CHP) system design and thermo-economic study and optimization for different scale-ups of the installation.
• Design of a Dissemination Plan: Analysis of events and means of dissemination of information and knowledge and Establishment of milestones for the entire duration of the project.

UPNA leads drafting and management of dissemination, publications. Organization and management Workshop UPNA: Distributed Storage and Self-consumption Energy.