Thermal energy storage is pretty great, as phase-change energy storage is very consistent with its energy output over time, unlike chemical batteries. You also get your pick from a wide range of ma…
    • mesa@piefed.socialOPEnglish
      0·
      6 months ago

      We have heat pumps and other such refrigeration methods to what he is doing (but in reverse). Hes just making a novel one using ice to be honest.

      Its jank but interesting from a tech perspective.

      • lowspeedchase@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        0·
        6 months ago

        Yeah I get what he is doing it just feels wonky - assuming you already have enough panels to charge your batteries overnight -and- run a/c during the day, this design is advantageous how? Instead of using the infrastructure you already own (batteries + a/c) you need to build a large water freezing receptical and machinery to do the freezing and an electric fan system to bring warm air from the home over/around the radiator attached to the ice? It seems less tech and more redneck swamp cooler with more bits to me, I dunno.

        • Midnight@slrpnk.netEnglish
          0·
          6 months ago

          I think youre misunderstanding one thing, which is that the ice is a replacement for batteries. While the system had a small battery for running a small pump and fan, its a small cheap one that doesn’t store much and the water has substantially more energy, equivalent to something like a large lithium battery.

          The thermal battery is also far smaller, cheaper, and more robust than a lithium battery and it won’t deteriorate with repeated cycling. The obvious trade off is that in this case it can only be used for refrigeration and only down to 0C. So while its very niche, it is quite effective for home air conditioning.