Enhancing Renewable Energy Efficiency: A Study on Road Thermal Collector Prototype

In today's global energy scenario, the demand for renewable and efficient energy solutions is more pressing than ever before. Solar energy, with its availability and renewable nature, occupies a prominent position in this transitional phase. However, the intermittent nature of solar irradiance, primarily due to diurnal and seasonal variations, presents a significant challenge for its widespread adoption as a stable and reliable energy source. In this context, the advancement of innovative thermal energy storage (TES) systems represents a crucial development. These systems enable the capture of solar energy during peak insolation periods for subsequent use during off-peak times, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of solar energy systems. This paper introduces a novel mathematical model that characterizes the thermal exchange in a prototypical road thermal collector system (RTC), which has been built at the University of Palermo. The core of this research is the implementation of this model into a finite difference method (FDM) framework, developed in Python. This model accurately simulates the temperature dynamics across the RTC system, incorporating a comprehensive spectrum of energy contributions. To validate the efficacy and accuracy of our mathematical model, the results derived from the Python-based FDM simulations have been compared with experimental data, encompassing temperature measurements, solar irradiance, and wind conditions collected over several days. This comparison not only confirm the reliability of our model but also highlights its potential in simulating the thermal dynamics of solar energy storage systems with enhanced precision and adaptability. Through these validation steps, our research demonstrates the robustness and applicability of the developed model in real-world scenarios, reinforcing its significance in the advancement of thermal energy storage technologies. The significance of this study lies not only in its contribution to the field of thermal energy storage but also in its potential impact on the global energy paradigm. This model provides a tool for the design and optimization of TES systems, offering a promising solution to the critical challenge of integrating solar energy into the global energy mix in a consistent and reliable mode. Through this work, we aim to contribute to the broader effort of mitigating climate change and advancing towards a more sustainable and renewable energy-dominated future.