Modelling of thermal energy storage in industrial energy systems the method development of MIND

Industrial energy efficiency is of vital importance as regards environment and industrial profitability. Optimisation of industrial energy systems may show a way towards improved use of resources in energy supply as well as in production processes. The deregulation of the electricity market in some countries increases flexibility in electricity contracts. Taking advantage of the price structure in these contracts is one of the ways to minimise the energy costs and decrease the influence on the environment. Thermal energy stores are very suitable facilities for achieving these goals, having the capability of moving energy use from one period of time to another and thereby influencing not only energy cost but also costs related to power demand if electric energy use is involved. In this paper, the influence on energy costs, energy and material flows resulting from the use of energy storage is discussed. Energy storage has been modelled by using MIND (Method for analysis of INDustrial energy systems) in the form that has recently been developed by the author. A case study from the pulp and paper industry has been used to verify this.