Storage
In underground thermal energy storage, heat and cold is stored in water. With good insulation, energy can be retained for long periods at temperatures up to 90 degrees. The heat demand of the building or district determines the size. The modular support structure is unique and patented. This allows for multiple uses of space: a parking lot, lawn or playground can be built on top of the buffer. No concrete walls are required. This sustainable construction method provides a low cost and small carbon footprint.
The support structure is placed in a custom-made hole (dug in embankment). Extensive prefabrication ensures a short lead time at the construction site. The hole is fitted with insulation and various non-water permeable and protective plastic layers. The top of the supporting structure is then sealed with insulation and soil.
The HoCoSto is in a closed circuit with the well, the water in the storage stays in the storage. Heat exchangers ensure the exchange of heat. Recharging the thermal storage can be done with various renewable sources, such as solar collectors, waste heat, PV, wind or through a heat pump(Power2Heat).
The HoCoSto is applicable as peak buffer (storage on a daily or weekly basis) or as seasonal thermal energy storage (STES = seasonal thermal energy storage, generating heat in the summer for use in the winter).
Sustainable energy source
heats buffer up to 90°
Supply cold
Warm before use
Energy Management
To use the storage as efficiently as possible, HoCoSto also designs the entire sustainable heat system including technical space and energy management if required.
All advantages at a glance
- Deployable as peakshaver (peak buffer) whether or not combined with seasonal storage
- Deployable for connection problems due to grid congestion
- Makes the energy system flexible by decoupling the moment of generation (supply) and offtake (heat demand of the building or neighborhood)
- Relatively cheaper than alternative systems
- Applicable in protected groundwater area
- Water as an energy carrier, it couldn’t be simpler or cheaper!
- Invisible after installation, surface area available again
- Internal buffer construction enables multiple use of space
- Modular, size is balanced with heat demand
- Short installation time due to prefabrication
- No concrete structures required
- Long life, low maintenance
- Enables gasless operation, even with MT heat demand (up to ˜70°) in existing homes
- No radical and costly interventions in the home
- Active cooling and passive heating as options, especially for new buildings!
- HT storage system (˜90°) as heart of local collective heat network
- Increase efficiency of heat pump and heat grid
- No more gas-fired peak boilers
- Solar heat as a source, but also power-to-heat, geothermal, aquathermy and waste heat
One of the possibilities:
HoCoSto in combination
with solar collectors
for a residential area
Storage Energy from a renewable source is stored for use at a later time (on a daily or weekly basis for peak buffer and for use in winter for seasonal storage)
Sustainable energy source
Renewable heat sources can include solar and wind power generated with a heat pump, geothermal heat, ground energy, solar heat (collectors) or waste heat from businesses/factories/heat pumps.
Solar collectors With solar collectors, you create instant hot water on your roof, ready for immediate use or storage.
Solar panels
With the HoCoSto system for tap water, heating and cooling combined with solar panels on the roof for electricity, you are completely self-sufficient and energy-neutral.
Multiple use of space
The unique patented support structure allows utilization of the terrain on top of the storage. Think of a football cage, a playground or a car park.
Heat when needed
During peak demand on the grid (peak storage) or during winter (seasonal storage), the building or district is “passively” heated or cooled from the storage.
Sustainable energy source
Sustainable heat sources may include geothermal heat, ground energy, solar heat, waste heat from companies/factories and wind turbines.
Direct use of hot water from the solar collectors, especially in the summer months.
Solar panels
With the HoCoSto system for tap water and space heating, and solar panels on the roof for electricity, you are completely self-sufficient.
Seasonal storage
In the summer months, the water basin is heated by solar collectors or another renewable energy source.
Multiple use of space
The aluminium construction makes it possible to use the land on top of the buffer. Think of a football cage, a playground or a car park.
Heat when needed
In the winter months, the houses are heated by heat from the buffer.
