Thermal Energy Battery Solution

Green energy innovations signal change for the better.

The transformation from gas water heating to a more efficient and effective electric system has been embraced by Flinders University – with the addition of an ingenious energy transfer innovation from South Australian start-up company Isothermix providing far-reaching benefits.

Employing innovative technology to solve energy solutions at Flinders underlines the University’s commitment to meaningful climate action, along with its willingness to adapt smart science that uses low-carbon technology and makes smart economic sense.

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Isothermix ChillBank™ at Mark Oliphant Building

The Isothermix ChillBank Solution

The need to replace a gas boiler in the Mark Oliphant Building at Bedford Park gave Flinders an opportunity to rethink its existing energy infrastructure. Selecting conventional electric heating to replace the gas boiler would have required three heat pumps – an expensive and inefficient outcome.

Instead, Flinders chose to install one heat pump and an Isothermix ChillBank, a thermal battery charged by the heat pump when electricity is cheap, and then releases its stored heat when required.

Working with Systems Solutions Engineering to install this efficient alternative cost half the purchase price of a triple-pump system, required only a quarter of the space to house the equipment, and greatly reduced electrical demands to run the equipment, which has ensured ongoing reductions in operational costs.

How the Isothermix System Works

The Isothermix ChillBank uses innovative PCM (phase change material) that changes salt hydrates as it melts from solid to liquid, making it especially efficient in storing and releasing latent heat, either for cooling or for heating. Latent heat has a much higher energy storage capacity than the sensible heat used for thermal storage appliances such as hot/chilled water tanks.

When PCM is cooled back down below its melting point, it turns back to a solid and the stored energy is released as heat. PCM is designed to ensure stable repetition of melting and freezing cycles for more than 10 years with no performance degradation

Flinders’ Mark Oliphant Building now has five modular Isothermix ChillBanks, each providing 80 kWh of heat to a thermal circulation loop around the building, released at 24C-25C and charged by a 200 kW heat pump. Together, the thermal battery and heat pump can meet the initial demand of 600 kW, which is used up over a warmup cycle to a point where the ChillBanks are charged for the next day.

Brad Maynard from Systems Solutions Engineering says analysis of the system’s first 12 months of operation is impressive. “Through capturing and reusing heat during regular operations, we can significantly reduce heat pump usage – limiting it to just a few morning warm-ups per week,” he says. “This strategy not only delivers substantial energy savings but also sets a new standard for smarter building management, which is considering for larger buildings across its main campus.”

ChillBank™ Latent Heat Thermal Battery

Future Plans and Sustainability Commitment

This new system also hopes to add solar photovoltaic power to offset its heat pump consumption, resulting in the whole building being heated for zero cost, plus supplementing energy use within the building during non-heating periods.

Impressed with the results of this new technology, Flinders is now looking at installing three more Chillbanks in its Business Government and Law building, to replace two gas boilers.

“Flinders has started phasing out new gas infrastructure, accelerating electrification and investing in energy storage solutions to ensure operational efficiency within demand constraints,” explains William Van Ausdal, Flinders’ Head of Sustainability in Property, Facilities and Development.

“Our innovative approach includes retrofitting end-of-life gas boilers with advanced heat pumps and integrating phase-change material thermal energy storage, paving the way for a modern, sustainable campuses and infrastructure built on climate-responsible solutions.”

This positive change is all part of Flinders University’s commitment to meaningful climate action through its 2030 Sustainability Strategy, focusing on ambitious and achievable emissions reductions aligned with the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, including natural gas usage.