What is the Technology Strategy assessment on thermal energy storage?

This technology strategy assessment on thermal energy storage, released as part of the Long-Duration Storage Shot, contains the findings from the Storage Innovations (SI) 2030 strategic initiative.

What is thermal energy storage?

Thermal energy storage in buildings can be used to adjust the timing of electricity demand to better match intermittent supply and to satisfy distribution constraints. TES for building heating and cooling applications predominantly utilizes sensible and latent heat technologies at low temperatures (i.e., near room temperature).

When was thermal energy storage invented?

The concept of thermal energy storage (TES) can be traced back to early 19th century, with the invention of the ice box to prevent butter from melting (Thomas Moore, An Essay on the Most Eligible Construction of Ice-Houses, Baltimore: Bonsal and Niles, 1803).

What is the thermal equivalent of energy storage for batteries?

The thermal equivalent of energy storage for batteries depends on which heater it is coupled with: if this is coupled with DEH this is near identical to the electrical values shown as DEH efficiency is close to 100 %.

Are TES Technologies a viable solution to commercialisation of storage materials?

Previous studies of TES technologies typically focus on the material level analysis of the storage materials , , , , which may not create feasible solutions to scale up to commercialisation and does not include economic parameters of investment and operational costs, and associated emissions, for consumers using these TES concepts.

Do heat pumps and solar thermal collectors affect TES performance?

This temperature constraint from heat pumps and solar thermal collectors restrains the performance of the TES, making it an important aspect to consider when analysing TES applied to domestic heating.