Characterization by key performance indicators of SFERA-III project to ALTAYR packed-bed prototype

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the viability of implementing the methodology proposed in the SFERA-III

project for the assessment of key performance indicators (KPIs) of thermal storage prototypes in a specific

packed-bed device. SFERA-III project is an EU funded project aiming, among others, to upgrade the infrastructures

and services related to Concentrating Solar Thermal technologies. In order to improve the quality of

services in relation to the testing of thermal energy storage prototypes, a protocol and KPIs were defined and

validated with different types of devices, though none of them was a packed-bed. This study elucidates the

challenges encountered in the implementation of the protocol on a packed-bed prototype, alongside the proposed

alternative solutions and their influence on the resulting KPIs. The analysis demonstrates that the SFERA-III Key

Performance Indicators are an appropriate means of evaluating packed bed thermal energy storage prototypes.

Consequently, the use of these KPIs as a standard is supported