Chicago Field Museum - Thermal Storage

Air Conditioning

Thermal storage systems like the one used by the museum mentioned in the excerpt often fall into a category known as ice-based thermal energy storage systems. These systems are an increasingly popular solution for reducing energy demand and improving energy efficiency in commercial, industrial, and even residential applications. Here's an elaboration suitable for a PhaseStor newsletter:

Museum Utilizes Chiller/Thermal Storage System: A Deeper Dive

In a bid to optimize energy consumption and reduce its carbon footprint, the Museum has implemented a cutting-edge chiller/thermal storage system. This innovative approach maintains a consistent, cool climate within the museum, ensuring both comfort for visitors and preservation of priceless collections. It also provides proper humidity control, a key factor in protecting sensitive artifacts from environmental degradation.

How the System Works

The chiller/thermal storage system operates by utilizing the concept of ice-based thermal storage. During off-peak hours—typically at night, when energy demand is lower—the system's chillers generate ice. This ice is stored in thermal storage containers, which act as energy reservoirs. Then, during the day, when energy demand peaks, the system circulates air around these ice-filled containers. The air is cooled as it passes over the ice and is subsequently circulated through the building, maintaining the desired indoor temperature without requiring significant electricity consumption during high-demand periods.

Energy Savings and Environmental Benefits

One of the primary advantages of this system is its ability to shift energy consumption from peak to off-peak hours. By producing ice at night, when the city's overall energy demand is low, the museum helps to reduce strain on the grid during the day. This demand shifting also reduces the likelihood of brownouts, which are often caused by the high use of air conditioning systems during midday when temperatures are highest.

From an environmental standpoint, the system is highly efficient. By using energy during off-peak hours, the museum is likely taking advantage of a cleaner energy mix, as peak demand hours often require utilities to activate less efficient, more polluting backup power plants. Additionally, the consistent temperature and humidity control provided by the system ensures that the museum’s collections are protected from environmental fluctuations, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the institution.

Potential Applications in Broader Markets

The success of this project could be indicative of a larger trend toward thermal energy storage as a viable means of achieving energy efficiency and grid stability. Systems like these can be deployed in various settings, from large commercial buildings to industrial facilities, and even residential complexes, all seeking to balance energy consumption with grid demand.

PhaseStor's Thermal Storage Units are especially well-suited to projects like this one. By integrating bio-based phase change materials (PCMs) into thermal storage systems, we can enhance energy efficiency even further. Phase change materials absorb and release thermal energy during phase transitions (from solid to liquid and vice versa), making them an ideal complement to ice storage systems.

While traditional ice-based systems store energy in the form of ice, which melts throughout the day to provide cooling, PhaseStor’s advanced technology could allow for more efficient thermal management by storing energy at different temperature ranges. This versatility would make it possible to tailor the system's performance to a broader range of climatic and operational conditions.

Implications for the Future

As the global conversation around sustainability and energy efficiency intensifies, projects like this museum's chiller/thermal storage system are pioneering pathways for reducing energy consumption while maintaining critical services. It reflects a growing awareness of the need for buildings, especially those with demanding climate control requirements, to adopt more energy-efficient, sustainable technologies.

At PhaseStor, we recognize that these technologies aren't just for museums and specialized buildings—they have a place in broader commercial, industrial, and residential applications. Our PhaseStor Thermal Storage Units can serve as a key solution for those looking to store energy more efficiently, reduce peak demand, and contribute to a more stable, resilient electrical grid.

By leveraging innovative thermal storage solutions like these, we can all play a part in creating a more sustainable future.

Mike Teahan

Technical Director

Phasestor UK PhaseStor