Energy Storage

Background
Advancement in technology and an increasing demand for more reliable energy systems has created growth in the energy storage industry. As weather continues to change and become more extreme, it has become increasingly vital to have energy infrastructure systems that can withstand and resist such natural disasters.

While solar energy may be the leading renewable energy source, storage challenges have limited its adoption by utilities. Thanks to innovations in thermal energy storage in MWh quantities, solar thermal energy has become more feasible for large-scale applications.

Thermal energy can be stored in sensible, latent, or chemical form. The storage of industrial quantities of thermal energy is in a nascent stage and primarily consists of sensible heat storage in nitrate salt eutectics and mixtures.

Current status
ASME formed the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Standards Committee which oversees the development and maintenance of requirements for the design, construction, installation, inspection, testing, comissioning, maintenance, operation, and decommissioning of thermal energy storage systems for the life cycle of the equipment.

The TES Standards Committee published the second edition of TES-1, Safety Standards for Thermal Energy Storage Systems: Molten Salt in December 2023. 

The Committee has formed a subordinate group called the TES-2 Committee to develop the draft of TES-2, Safety Standard for Thermal Energy Storage Systems: Phase Change. The TES-2 Committee is now actively seeking participants with expertise in thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials as the storage medium to contribute to the development of this proposed standard.

ASME formed the Performance Test Codes (PTC) 53 Mechanical and Thermal Energy Storage Systems Committee which oversees the development of uniform test methods, procedures, and quantifiable methods for assessing, determining, and reporting the performance of mechanical or thermal energy storage systems across varying technology platforms. This applies to systems including, but not limited to, compressed air, fly wheels, molten salts, or pumped hydro for storing energy mechanically or thermally from any source.

The committee intends to publish the first draft of the PTC Standard in mid-2023.

Meetings and Events
Thermal Energy Storage Standards Committee - meets every 2-3 months via teleconference.
TES-2 Committee – meets every other month via teleconference.

PTC 53 Mechanical and Thermal Energy Storage Systems Committee - meets by teleconference quarterly and holds 1-2 in-person meetings throughout the year.

Staff Contact
If you’re interested in learning more or participating in the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Standards Committee activities, please contact Nicole Gomez.

If you’re interested in learning more or participating in PTC 53 Mechanical and Thermal Energy Storage Systems Committee activities, please contact Donnie Alonzo.

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