Trane Energy Storage Tanks

Energy storage tanks shift all or a portion of a building’s cooling needs to off-peak, night time hours. They store energy in the form of ice during off-peak periods when utilities generate electricity more efficiently with lower energy and demand charges. The stored ice is then used to cool the building occupants the next day, during the peak periods when utility rates are at their highest.

There are any number of control strategies that can be utilized to take advantage of the benefits of thermal energy storage. However, there are two basic approaches that define the common limits of system design. Electric rates and building usage will determine which control strategies are best for the project.

• Full Storage A chiller sized large enough to charge enough energy storage can shift the entire load to off-peak periods.
• Partial Storage The chiller works in conjunction with the CALMAC energy storage tanks during on-peak periods to manage the building’s cooling load. During off-peak hours, the chiller charges the tanks for use during the next day’s on peak cooling period.

You can maintain your CALMAC tanks and the energy storage system by using a maintenance process similar to that used for conventional cooling.

• Perform chiller maintenance as required.
  
• Ensure the controls are operating properly and in sync with the utility rates.
  
• Check the health of the glycol fluid annually.
  
• Check the water level in the tanks.
  
• Add biocide as needed to eliminate algae growth.