ASHRAE RP-766: Study of operational experience with thermal storage systems

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of a comprehensive national study commissioned by ASHRAE to evaluate the performance and operational experiences of cool thermal energy storage (TES) systems. Nearly 200 owners and operators participated in the survey. All three TES system types (ice, water, and eutectic salt) are examined. The survey collected system and facility data on each installation, as well as information in the following eight functional areas: decision process, design process, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, economic performance, and system satisfaction. Included in this paper is a description of the project`s research methodology, an examination of survey population statistics, and analyses of selected system operational parameters. Findings generated form the replies to the eight functional area sections of the surveys also are discussed. Due to space limitation, only a fraction of the study`s findings are discussed in this publication. Interested readers are referred to the ASHRAE Technical Report, Study of Operational Experience with Thermal Storage Systems--Results of a National Survey of Cool Thermal Energy Storage Systems (Potter 1994). This report presents a detailed analysis of the survey findings and includes the compiled surveys for each TES system type.