Sunamp — Thermal Storage for Domestic Hot Water
Thousands of Sunamp thermal batteries are already in homes across the world storing heat from low-carbon energy sources and releasing it for mains-pressure hot water when needed. The Thermino range is now available in Canada. Thermino batteries replace traditional hot water cylinders – direct (for grid electricity & solar PV) or indirect (for boilers, heat pumps and solar PV).
They are up to four times smaller than the equivalent hot water tank because they are filled with energy-dense phase change material, Plentigrade.
Phase Change Thermal Batteries: Revolutionizing Energy Storage
Phase change thermal batteries use cutting-edge materials to store and release heat as they shift between solid and liquid states. With up to 3.5 times the energy density of water, they deliver more usable energy from a smaller footprint.
These systems have evolved far beyond their early chemical roots and now feature simplified reactions and safer, more sustainable materials. We're proud to be helping lead this energy storage revolution across Canada.
A NYSERDA case study reported a 50% reduction in gas consumption using PCM batteries. Lower required temperatures and smarter energy release help reduce boiler run-time and energy waste.
Why Switch from Water for Thermal Storage?
Water is familiar and inexpensive, but it's not ideal for high-performance heating systems. Water tanks suffer from heat loss, large volume requirements, and a limited temperature range.
Phase change thermal batteries store and release heat more efficiently using latent energy, allowing them to store significantly more energy in a compact size. Unlike traditional tanks, PCM batteries can store energy when it's cheapest and release it when needed—similar to a whole-home lithium battery, but for heat.
- Instant hot water, always ready
- Compact—frees up storage space
- Compatible with solar, heat pumps, or boilers
- Reduces carbon emissions
- Seamlessly integrates with new or retrofit systems
- Reliable, consistent, and long-lasting
- No moving parts or required maintenance
- 10-year manufacturer-backed warranty
How Do Phase Change Thermal Batteries Work?
PCM batteries store thermal energy by absorbing and releasing heat during phase change—from solid to liquid and back again. This allows them to deliver hot water or space heating precisely when it's needed, without standby losses or constant reheating.
In a recent NYSERDA study, a traditional gas boiler with an indirect tank was upgraded to a PCM thermal battery, resulting in substantial gas savings and improved comfort. These batteries combine latent and sensible heat storage, offering up to 4x the performance of water—inside a compact unit the size of a filing cabinet.
Learn how Sunamp's revolutionary phase change thermal batteries heat batteries harness phase change materials to store excess energy, which can then be released as heat when required. This technology offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional heating systems, reducing carbon emissions and energy costs. Sunamp's heat batteries have applications in various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Sunamp's Commitment to Sustainability
With a commitment to making a positive social and environmental impact, Sunamp's materials are both sourced ethically and recycled. The batteries are non-flammable, and Sunamp is committed to ensuring full re-use or recycling of every battery component at end-of-life. With a goal of net-zero carbon emissions for both its customers and itself, by using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard to identify and measure emissions, you can be sure that for each Sunamp product sold the greenhouse gas intensity per product is approximately 0.
Commercial Applications - Introducing the Central Bank Mini
The Sunamp Central Bank Mini is a cutting-edge thermal energy storage solution designed to optimize energy use in various applications, from residential to light commercial settings. Leveraging advanced phase change material technology, this compact unit offers high-density heat storage with minimal space requirements, making it ideal for projects where efficiency and footprint are critical.
With an impressive thermal storage capacity of up to 300,000 BTU, the Central Bank Mini can efficiently store excess heat generated from various sources, such as solar thermal systems, heat pumps, or even industrial waste heat. This stored energy can be deployed on-demand to provide consistent heating or hot water, significantly reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and lowering overall energy costs. The system is capable of delivering up to 58°C (136°F) discharge temperatures, ensuring a reliable and steady supply of heat or hot water when you need it most.
Peak Load Shaving
One of the key applications of the Central Bank Mini is in peak load shaving. During periods of high energy demand, the stored thermal energy can be released to reduce the load on primary heating systems, such as boilers or heat pumps. This not only helps in flattening the demand curve but also allows for more efficient operation of the overall system. For example, in a commercial building, the Central Bank Mini can discharge stored heat during peak hours, reducing the need to ramp up boilers or heat pumps to meet instantaneous demand, thereby lowering peak energy charges and enhancing system efficiency.
Improving Condensing Efficiency of Existing boilers
The Sunamp Central Bank Mini can also be integrated with existing condensing boilers to improve their efficiency. Condensing boilers operate most efficiently when return water temperatures are low, which allows the boiler to condense the flue gases and recover latent heat. By strategically storing excess heat in the Central Bank Mini during periods of low demand and then releasing it when needed, the return water temperature can be maintained at a lower level, maximizing the boiler's condensing efficiency. For instance, in a system where the boiler is supplying heat to a hydronic heating system, the Central Bank Mini can be used to absorb excess heat generated during off-peak times, ensuring that the boiler operates in its most efficient range by reducing the return water temperature. This results in lower fuel consumption and reduced operational costs.
Seamless Integration and Versatile Applications
The Central Bank Mini integrates seamlessly with existing HVAC and renewable energy systems, providing a versatile and scalable solution for energy storage needs. Whether you're looking to flatten peak energy demand, enhance the efficiency of a heating system, or explore new ways to utilize renewable energy, the Sunamp Central Bank Mini delivers reliable performance with the added benefit of reducing carbon emissions. This makes it an excellent choice for forward-thinking projects aimed at sustainability and energy independence.