The ComBioTES tool is an application developed by Institute for Renewable Energy (IEO) to support PV installers and prosumers interested in expanding their installations with a thermal energy storage (TES) system.
You can access the tool directly here.
Key Features:
The tool contains six main elements that allow users to:
- Define the current system
- Define electricity purchase and purchase prices
- Define storage parameters
- Display input data
- Run optimization
- View optimization results
Benefits of the Application:
- Smart Cost Optimization Based on Dynamic Pricing
Analyses Day-Ahead Market energy prices to identify optimal charging times for heat storage. This reduces costs by using the cheapest electricity available and avoiding high peak grid rates.
- Effective Utilization of PV Surplus
Allocates excess solar power to the heat storage unit (using phase change material (PCM) or water). This maximizes self-consumption and improves the profitability and efficiency of photovoltaic installations.
- Precise Sizing and Custom Configuration
Simulates specific storage capacities based on tailored input data (e.g., annual electricity usage and hot water demand). This ensures optimal system sizing, avoiding both over-investment and underperformance.
- Investment Analysis (Full-Year Simulation)
Provides a comprehensive, full-year performance simulation in under 30 seconds. Outputs include potential savings, storage utilization rates, and unit heat costs, enabling fast and informed investment decisions.