Thermal Energy Storage: design and operation optimization of electrical power supply

The thesis is centered around Magaldi Green Thermal Energy Storage (MGTES), a thermal energy storage technology based on a fluidized bed of sand, representing a cost-effective solution for industrial decarbonization of mid-temperature energy-intensive processes, e.g. for the production of paper, ceramic, food and beverages. In particular, the thesis focuses on MGTES electrical supply system and describes its design and optimization, carried out to maximize its performance, thus fostering its widespread adoption in the industrial sector as a sustainable replacement for natural gas boilers. Different options are examined for the electrical hardware, outlining interesting alternatives to power electronic devices for applications that do not require a precise control, achieving proper resolution at limited cost, high reliability and recyclability. Models and algorithms have been developed to simulate and optimize MGTES across diverse scenarios, culminating in the realization of the Elastic Software for Thermal Energy Storage Optimization (ESTESO). This software adheres to a "one-tool approach", offering a versatile and unified solution to address both sizing and operational aspects of MGTES systems. Beyond its research applications, ESTESO has been designed for practical engineering usage, facilitating the sizing of MGTES systems. The same software will act as energy management system, employing real-time data from MGTES sensors to optimize power flows through online simulations. A Power-to-Heat system has been modeled in ESTESO to optimize the impact of MGTES in terms of decarbonization and system costs. Sizing optimizations were performed considering different MGTES sizes, determining the optimal PV and grid connection capacity for different decarbonization levels.