Project data

Summary of the project

The subject of the research work is the process of a phase-changing pumped storage power plant designed at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. In this storage system for electrical energy, a medium in the vapour phase is compressed as a pressurised gas reservoir using water. The water also serves as a heat accumulator for the condensation heat of the vapour. Thanks to a suitably selected storage medium, the process takes place at approximately ambient temperatures and is therefore almost adiabatic. According to the calculations carried out so far, the achievable efficiencies are approaching those of pumped storage power plants. However, the process enables realisation independent of location with comparatively low construction costs.

The aim of the joint application by Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is to investigate the process in depth and in detail in order to validate the results to date and lay the foundations for subsequent industrial development. In addition to the process engineering development, the economic properties and thus possible areas of application will be investigated.