Modelling method for the optimal operation of sensible thermal energy storages

To reach the EU´s climate targets, an important topic is energy efficiency in energy-intensive industry and integration of renewable energy using energy storages. In Europe industrial processes have a share of 25.3% of the total energy consumption[1], therefore improvements in this sector have a huge impact. In this regard, a smart energy system approach[2] is promising, interconnecting industry with electricity, heat and gas networks. This allows a better integration of renewable and higher overall efficiencies due to higher flexibility. Though, these interconnections create a complex system, which needs to be operated in an optimal way. In such an energy system, there are lots of different generating units, storage units, interconnections, etc. The problem of optimal operation of these units is referred to as unit commitment (UC) problem[3], which can be solved, e.g. with mixed integer linear programming (MILP), a mathematical optimisation method. In this contribution, a novel method for optimal operation of a sensible thermal storage is presented.