Thermal Management in Energy

At the forefront of passive and active thermal management solutions, T-Global continually innovates the possibilities of advanced thermal interface materials. Our comprehensive thermal management products and support services maximize the energy efficiency of a wide range of modern technologies, from electric vehicles to medical devices to power generation.

For energy applications, choosing the most appropriate thermal management solution depends on knowing when to apply active or passive thermal management strategies. Sometimes, both are required. Here, you’ll learn more about the importance of thermal management in energy applications, the difference between active and passive thermal management, and the benefits of choosing the best solution.

The Importance of Thermal Management in Energy

Effective heat management is crucial to safe and efficient operations in energy generation, transportation, and storage systems. Reducing heat-related losses is key to optimizing energy efficiency—a top priority in these markets.

From large-scale power generation to individual electronic devices, effective thermal management is one of the most reliable ways to optimize system performance, safety, and longevity. Poor thermal management leads to energy inefficiencies, wasted resources, higher costs, and an increased environmental impact.

What Is Passive and Active Thermal Management?

Thermal management is possible with both passive and active devices. Passive thermal management does not rely on an external power source and instead uses technologies that improve upon natural heat transfer processes like convection, conduction, or radiation. You can learn more about these natural heat transfer processes in our article, “Heat Dissipation and Thermal Transfer.” Examples of passive thermal management include heat sinks, thermal interface materials, and heat pipes.

Active thermal management requires an external power source. Examples include pumps, fans, and thermoelectric cooling devices.

Examples of Passive Thermal Management

Here’s an overview of common types of passive thermal management methods:

Heat sinks. A heat sink is a thermally conductive material—often copper, aluminum, or ceramic—attached to a heat source to dissipate thermal energy. Heat transfers through conduction from the heat-generating component to an interface material, and then to the heat sink. The heat dissipates from the heat sink into the surrounding environment via convection.
Heat spreaders. A heat spreader is a thermally conductive metal plate or foil placed between the heat source and secondary heat exchangers to spread heat across a larger area.
Thermal pads. A thermal interface pad is a sheet of thermally conductive material, most often applied to central processing units (CPU) to provide electrical isolation and dissipate heat.
Thermal putty. This is a soft and malleable material used for filling gaps and surface anomalies. Applying thermal putty between a heat source and a heat sink dissipates heat more efficiently.
Thermal compound. This substance enhances cooling efficiency by facilitating more effective heat transfer between two surfaces. Thermal compounds are often used in CPU and graphics processing units (GPU).

Examples of Active Thermal Management

Common examples of active thermal management include:

Forced convection. By actively increasing airflow around a heat source, forced convection methods like fans or blowers dissipate heat and improve the rate of natural convective cooling.
Thermoelectric coolers. Also called solid-state heat pumps, thermoelectric coolers (TEC) have a thin, compact form suitable for small components such as semiconductors. The cooler is normally located between the heat source and heat sink; when voltage is applied, the cooler creates a difference in temperature between these components.

Optimize Energy Performance with Thermal Management

Selecting the best thermal management techniques carries many far-reaching benefits for energy applications:

Enhanced system efficiency. Good thermal management keeps energy storage systems operating at ideal temperatures. Temperature control improves system efficiency by reducing energy loss, maintaining system stability, and improving charge/discharge rates.
Longer equipment lifespan. High operating temperatures for extended periods increase a battery’s chemical reactivity and shorten its service life. Other device components also experience greater wear with uncontrolled heat. Good thermal management keeps energy systems from overheating, extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance or replacement costs.
Greater system stability. Effective thermal management also reduces the chance of system failure and maintains energy storage system reliability, even during heavy use. This is especially important during energy grid fluctuations and load changes.

Thermal Management Products and Services From T-Global

Thermal management is a necessary aspect of an efficient, reliable energy industry. T-Global USA supports the energy industry with a comprehensive array of thermal management solutions for traditional and emerging technologies. Our advanced thermal interface materials, heat sinks, vapor chambers, and other thermal management solutions optimize system performance and efficiency.