Compact, Efficient, and Smarter: Advancing PCM Technology for Modern Heating and Cooling
Cowa Thermal Solutions AG
At Cowa Thermal Solutions AG, we are committed to developing compact, efficient, and durable thermal energy storage systems that support the transition to more sustainable heating and cooling, both in domestic and industrial applications.
As part of the MODERATOR project, we are contributing to the design and integration of Phase Change Material (PCM)-based energy storage systems that improve the overall energy efficiency of data centres and support heat reuse in broader thermal networks.
For years, PCM-based thermal storage systems with a melting point of around 58 °C have been a proven and trusted solution. They offer excellent performance, ensure hygienic hot water delivery, and are compatible with a wide range of heating systems. That’s why we continue to offer our Cowa COMPACT Cell 58, which remains the ideal choice for many applications.
However, today’s heating landscape is changing, and heat pumps operate most efficiently at lower temperatures, and depending on the application, lower melting temperatures are more favorable.
Motivated by these challenges, we explored alternatives that could strike a balance between:
- Thermal comfort and hygiene standards
- System efficiency
- Compatibility with widely used heat pump technologies
After extensive research and development, we created a new PCM with a melting point of 48 °C. The result is the Cowa COMPACT Cell 48, the world’s first latent heat storage at this temperature. It is developed specifically to operate with lower temperature heat sources. This solution:
- Reduces the space required for installation by up to five times compared to traditional hot water tanks,
- Offers comparable efficiency to water-based storage,
- Ensures compatibility with standard refrigerants in domestic applications.
Through our work in MODERATOR, we aim to demonstrate how innovations like the Cowa COMPACT Cell 48 can enhance the reuse of waste heat from data centres, while improving flexibility and performance in low-carbon heating systems.
This innovation supports the broader mission of the MODERATOR project: to create scalable, smart, and sustainable infrastructure for Europe’s growing digital and energy demands.
Fresh out of our chemistry lab. One of many crucial steps in our development process: Cycle stability and thermal performance testing at one-liter scale in a representative test environment.