Modeling of a ‘Heat-to-Power’ energy system for buildings and district heating networks

Study context:

To encourage decarbonization and promote renewable energy sources across all industrial sectors, the development of efficient energy storage systems is essential. In this context, INSA Lyon aims to develop a reference experimental platform—GRID4MOBILITY—bringing together various renewable energy systems, energy storage solutions, electricity generation technologies, and even electric mobility.

Among large-scale electricity storage technologies, Carnot batteries are of great interest. Their operating principle is based on storing electricity in the form of thermal energy. The charging phase is carried out using a heat pump cycle (conversion of electricity into heat), while the discharging phase is achieved using a heat engine (for example, a Rankine cycle, which converts heat into electricity).

Carnot batteries represent a viable solution for storing electricity generated by intermittent renewable energy sources on the grid. In addition, the heat—and even cold—storage units associated with them can be used for various applications, such as district heating networks or data center cooling. The long-term objective is therefore to develop an experimental prototype of a Carnot battery. However, preliminary modeling work is required before implementing such a system; this work constitutes the subject of this PhD thesis.

Planned work:

First, the PhD candidate will carry out a literature review on energy storage systems. Particular focus will be placed on Carnot batteries and electrochemical batteries, the latter serving as a reference system.

Second, the PhD candidate will develop 0D and 1D models of the overall system involving all components: heat pump, thermochemical heat storage, and organic Rankine cycle (ORC). A sensitivity analysis will then be conducted to better understand the impact of various thermodynamic parameters on the overall efficiency of the process.

Finally, the targeted building application will be defined. This will also be based on the GRID4MOBILITY project, which includes a building equipped with various experimental platforms. This framework will be used to size the Carnot battery derived from the numerical model developed in the previous phase. The sizing will be carried out in particular through a 4E analysis: Energetic, Exergetic, Environmental, and Economic. The electrochemical battery will serve as the reference point for this analysis.

The Center for Energy and Thermal Sciences of Lyon is situated in Villeurbanne (Lyon), on the Doua-Lyon Tech campus. The CETHIL depends on three institutions:

CNRS, for which the Centre is scientifically related to the INSIS (INstitut des Sciences de l'Ingénierie et des Systèmes) and the INEE (INstitut Écologie et Environnement), and administratively to the Regional Delegation Rhône Auvergne (DR7);

the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA Lyon), the institution housing all its premises;

the University Claude-Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL).

CETHIL belongs to the MEGA Doctoral School, devoted to reserach in Mechanics, Energetics, Civil Engineering, and Acoustics (ED 162). As a result, a large majority of doctoral students are enrolled in this doctoral school.

The Centre is currently structured in 5 themes, which are detailed in the “Research Activities”:

Micro and Nanoscale Heat Transfer (MINT)

Fluids, Polymers and Composites (FPC)

Reactive Media and Heat Transfer (MRTT)

Energy and Heat Transfer in Industrial Systems (EHTIS)

Heat Transfer and Energy Processes in Buildings and their Environement (TEBE)

Some of the research is carried out within the framework of the EDF-CETHIL Joint Laboratory "Buildings with High Energy Efficiency" (BHEE) or LabCom (joint research program between an academic laboratory and an SME or a company of intermediate size) "Research, Analysis and Innovation for Burners of Growth Verneuil " (RAINBOV) with the company LE RUBIS SA.

For the partnerships with companies, the facilities of the Institut Carnot programme "Ingénierie@Lyon" can be considered.

Faculties belonging at CETHIL carry out their teaching in several institutions of Lyon. At INSA, the CETHIL is linked to the two-years Bachelor Department (FIMI) and three graduating departments (five years after higher education), namely the departments of Energy Engineering and Environment (EN), Civil Engineering and Urban Planning (GCU), and Mechanical Engineering (GM). The attachment to the UCBL is reflected in its involvement in the IUT (Institut Universitaire de Technologie) and its Civil Engineering and Thermal and Energy Engineering departments, as well as in the Mechanical Engineering department of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST).

The candidate, holding a Master’s degree must have strong knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, and a strong interest in modeling. Prior research experience will be an asset.