By Enersider Desk | New Delhi
Researchers in India have developed a new thermal energy storage material that can make clean energy systems more efficient and affordable. The innovation is expected to benefit concentrated solar power (CSP) plants and industries that aim to recover and reuse waste heat.
The material has been developed by scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), according to a statement by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Image Credit: azom
The research team, led by Dr. Mani Karthik, created a high-performance nanocomposite Phase Change Material (PCM) using a simple and scalable co-precipitation process. The method produces spinel-type metal oxide nanoparticles with controlled particle size and strong thermal stability.
According to researchers adding just 1% of these spinel oxide nanoparticles to the PCM increased its specific heat capacity by up to 45% compared to conventional PCM materials. Specific heat capacity refers to the amount of heat energy a material can store.
The nanoparticles improve the material’s thermal performance by increasing the surface area and forming a stable spinel oxide layer within the PCM. This allows the material to store more thermal energy per unit mass, making energy storage systems more efficient.
Scientists said the improved storage capacity could help reduce the size of thermal storage tanks, lowering construction requirements and operational costs. This could make thermal batteries more compact, economical, and suitable for large-scale clean energy applications.
The development is expected to support concentrated solar power projects and industrial waste heat recovery systems, both of which are considered important for sustainable energy generation and reducing energy loss.
The researchers said that the innovation aligns with India’s clean energy goals and the vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat by strengthening indigenous capabilities in next-generation energy storage technologies.
Also Read: Fujiyama Power Systems to set up 1.2 GW solar cell facility at Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh
