PCM Battery and Heat Pump: the New Frontier of Integrated Energy

The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation: there is a growing need for solutions that combine efficiency and reduced operating costs. In this context, the collaboration between I-TES and TLC Enterprise has led to an innovative project that integrates multi-source heat pumps and phase change thermal batteries (PCM), designed for high-efficiency applications with advanced control logic.

This article retraces the development phases of the project and explains why the combination of thermal storage and heat pump represents a crucial step in the energy transition.

The value of innovation: the collaboration between I-TES and TLC Enterprise

This partnership made it possible to develop a system that goes beyond the conventional approach, surpassing the simple combination of standard components. The shared goal with TLC Enterprise was to create a system in which the synergy between a heat pump and a PCM storage system would be optimal. The results:

• Custom and integrated energy systems
• Optimization of overall performance
• Reduction of operating costs for the end user

The project: beyond simple coupling

The core of the innovation lies in going beyond the simple combination of a standard heat pump and a PCM thermal battery. From the design phase, we worked together with TLC Enterprise to:

• identify the optimal operating conditions between the heat pump and thermal battery
• ensure that the heat pump circuit developed by TLC Enterprise was aligned with the key parameters of the thermal battery
• define control logic to best meet the expected comfort requirements
• create a solution where the battery is not an "accessory", but a key component of the system

Design innovation and control systems

To ensure long-term efficiency and reliability, advanced regulation and control systems were implemented.

Continuous monitoring and automatic regulation

The heat pump developed for this project uses advanced control systems that:

• continuously monitor the performance of each component of the refrigeration circuit
• automatically regulate valves to ensure optimal operating conditions

A distinctive feature is the direct integration of PCM thermal battery performance parameters into the heat pump design:

• the energy management logic prioritizes charging the battery, ensuring heat availability during peak demand
• the chosen PCM material has a transition temperature of 48°C, ideal for ensuring comfort in domestic hot water supply without the need for high-temperature refrigerants such as R290

Integrated system diagram

The diagram below illustrates the operation of the system with a multi-source heat pump and PCM thermal battery, highlighting energy flow and charge/discharge logic:

Competitive advantages of the solution

The integration of thermal storage and multi-source heat pumps offers tangible benefits:

1. Source selection
The system automatically selects the most efficient source (air, ground, or thermal battery) in real-time to maximize the COP.

2. Summer heat recovery
During the cooling season, heat extracted from the environment is stored in the PCM battery and reused to produce domestic hot water, reducing the load on the heat pump compressor.

3. Strategic PCM selection
The phase change material is optimized to ensure thermal comfort and high performance without the need for high-temperature refrigerants.

4. System reliability
The system is designed to operate stably and efficiently over the long term.

Market value and strategic positioning

This solution demonstrates our ability to collaborate with designers and custom component developers to create integrated and tailored systems. In fact, we do not limit ourselves to supplying PCM thermal batteries as separate components, but actively participate in the design of integrated systems together with manufacturers, designers, and custom component developers, contributing to overall optimization.

If you want to learn more about how the thermal battery can improve heat pump efficiency, read: Heat pump and thermal comfort

The experience we’ve gained enables us to position ourselves as a strategic partner for future developments and fully integrated energy solutions, a point of reference for technical studios, ESCo, and companies working on the creation of integrated and efficient systems.

Want to know how to apply these technologies to your project? Contact us and start your journey towards smart energy efficiency.