Application of Composite Materials for Thermal Storage in the Heat Supply System in the Czech Republic

Abstract

This paper investigates the application of polymer materials for low-temperature, pressure-less thermal storage in Czech district heating systems integrated with high-performance heat pumps. A dynamic simulation was conducted for a residential building of 180 occupants, equipped with a 32 kW heat pump, 10 kW photothermal panels, and 200 m³ of stratified water storage divided into preheating and high-temperature sections. Composite tanks for thermal storage can provide lower cost per cubic meter of storage, superior structural resilience under thermal cycling, and competitive environmental performance relative to polypropylene alternatives. The findings highlight composite storage as a technically and economically viable pathway for enhancing flexibility, efficiency, and decarbonization in Czech district heating networks.