Numerical analysis of an off-grid positive temperature cold room coupled with latent thermal energy storage for food preservation

The interest in Phase Change Materials (PCMs) is constantly growing in recent years thanks to their capacity of store large quantities of thermal energy per volume unit. PCMs are also promising candidates for developing a new concept of off-grid cold room only powered by solar power. This type of cold storage could be a game changer in remote area of developing countries, where almost one third of the food produced annually is wasted due to various inefficiencies of the cold chain or instabilities of the power grid. This study aims to develop a TRNsys-based numerical analysis of a positive temperature cold room for food preservation, coupled with a Latent Thermal Energy Storage (LTES), with different control strategies of the PV-powered system in various location of Africa and Italy. Coupling of the cold room with the PCM storage enabled the temperature control of the ambient during the nights and in low irradiation days.