Powerful storage capacity
Cowa storage units consist of an insulated housing and a heat exchanger, which is surrounded by phase change materials. Energy from the heat generator - e.g. the heat pump - is fed into the material, which melts as a result. The heat stored in this way is later released to the heating circuit or hot water generation system as required. Thanks to this technology, the Cowa cylinder creates maximum storage capacity in a minimum of space.
Storage thanks to phase change
The key to maximising storage capacity lies in the use of Cowa's phase change materials. These absorb large amounts of energy during the melting process, store it without loss and release it again during the solidification process. Cowa develops and produces materials at various temperature levels in order to offer a wide range of applications, from heating storage to domestic hot water and combined solutions.
High storage capacity
The phase change process is a purely physical process and is therefore loss-free and reversible. By utilising the phase change, up to 250 J/g of thermal energy can be stored. Over a defined temperature difference, ∆T, this is a factor of 5-6 higher specific storage density compared to water.
Sustainable raw materials
Naturally occurring salts are used as raw materials. Cowa has developed PCMs for various applications. The materials are constantly cycled (repetitive melting and solidification) and their functionality is tested using an energy balance. Even after more than 10,000 cycles have been completed, the materials show no reduction in storage capacity.
Partnerships
In materials research, we work closely with the Competence Centre Thermal Energy Storage at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Research, development, testing and part of the industrialisation are supported by world-leading academic partners.
