University engineers develop thermal battery to reduce natural gas reliance

Engineers at Simon Fraser University have developed a mobile thermal battery that could supply 40 per cent of the peak heating needs for Surrey’s district energy system.

The battery is called a Mobile Thermal Energy Storage (M-TES) that uses a thermochemical solution capable of being transported by truck and able to store latent heat for long periods of time.

Surrey’s district energy network currently burns natural gas to heat its connected buildings. Captured waste heat, however, would reduce the system’s reliance on natural gas and lower its carbon footprint.

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