Unit for storing thermal energy

A unit for storing and releasing thermal energy, said unit comprising:

• a plurality of modular blocks, each of said modular blocks comprising:
• individualized elements configured to store and release said thermal energy including at least one phase change material (PCM);
• and
• a body comprising:
• a chamber in which said individualized elements are loosely disposed, the chamber being defined within the outer walls of the body assembled by a bottom closing on one side the chamber, and
• a communication passage configured to connect the chamber to an adjacent chamber of an adjacent modular block of the plurality of modular blocks to establish fluid-connected modular blocks, the communication passage configured for the circulation of a fluid the chambers and the adjacent chamber through said communication passage, in heat exchange relationship with said individualized elements in each chamber,
• attachment means configured to attach together the respective fluid-connected modular blocks, such that said fluid can circulate between said fluid-connected modular blocks via the communication passages, and
• thermal management elements configured to thermally manage the chambers, the thermal management elements being arranged around said chambers and at least some of the thermal management elements comprising a thermally insulating material,
• wherein:
• each chamber is open on one side other than the bottom, for placing therein or removing therefrom said individualized elements, and the modular blocks further individually include a sealing surface surrounding the open side of the chamber, for providing sealing in relation to the fluid, such that the fluid-connected modular blocks can be arranged with the chambers thereof face to face or back to back, then modular blocks being stacked along an axis, and the communication passages passing through the bottoms of the chambers,
• the fluid comprises one of a refrigerating fluid and a heat-transfer fluid,
• and at least some of the thermal management elements include a PCM.