How thermal energy storage works

How does thermal energy storage work?

Many different technologies can be used to achieve thermal energy storage and depending on which technology is used, thermal energy storage systems can store excess thermal energy for hours, days or months. Thermal energy systems are divided in three types:

How does thermal energy work?

The energy, in the form of hot or chilled water, can then be distributed to buildings via a pipe network for immediate use or be stored in thermal storages for later use. The thermal energy can be stored for a few hours or days, for example in heat storage tanks, or for several months in large pits or other storage facilities.

What are the different types of thermal energy storage systems?

Thermal energy storage (TES) systems store heat or cold for later use and are classified into sensible heat storage, latent heat storage, and thermochemical heat storage. Sensible heat storage systems raise the temperature of a material to store heat. Latent heat storage systems use PCMs to store heat through melting or solidifying.

How do thermochemical heat storage systems work?

Thermochemical heat storage systems, on the other hand, are based on chemical reactions. Reduce peak demand and level demand by storing energy when there is less demand and releasing when there is high demand. Reduce CO2 emissions and costs by making sure energy is used when it is cheaper and there is more renewable energy in the mix.

What are the benefits of thermal energy storage?

Advances in thermal energy storage would lead to increased energy savings, higher performing and more affordable heat pumps, flexibility for shedding and shifting building loads, and improved thermal comfort of occupants.

What are some sources of thermal energy for storage?

Other sources of thermal energy for storage include heat or cold produced with heat pumps from off-peak, lower cost electric power, a practice called peak shaving; heat from combined heat and power (CHP) power plants; heat produced by renewable electrical energy that exceeds grid demand and waste heat from industrial processes.