Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Canadians rank among the highest per capita energy users in the world and thermal energy for heat and hotwater is a major source of energy-demand. Renewable solar energy can offset a portion of this requirement,while at the same time reducing fossil-fuel emissions, and creating economic benefits for local communities.Unfortunately, current methods of storing solar thermal energy suffer a number of limitations which can reduceeffectiveness and increase the cost of solar technology. The proposed project will develop a promisingalternative to conventional water-based energy storage by using advanced phase-change material (PCM) todecrease storage size and increase overall system efficiency. This new research collaboration takes advantageof unique industry knowledge, along with NSCC solar test-facilities and applied research, design, andfabrication expertise. The project will develop of a fully functional residential solar-thermal PCM-storagesystem, conduct real-world validation of the storage technology under local conditions, and create predictivemodels to aid in new system designs for a variety of energy storage applications. This research will also trainhighly qualified personnel and help establish Scotia WindFields Inc. (SWFI) as a leader in energy-storagetechnology for solar thermal systems.