Thermal energy storage prospects

Why is thermal energy storage important?

Thermal energy storage (TES) can help to integrate high shares of renewable energy in power generation, industry and buildings. This outlook identifies priorities for research and development. Transforming the global energy system in line with global climate and sustainability goals calls for rapid uptake of renewables for all kinds of energy use.

Can thermal and electric storage be integrated into heat and power systems?

Both thermal and electric storage can be integrated into heat and power systems to decouple thermal and electric energy generations from user demands, thus unlocking cost-effective and optimised management of energy systems.

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.

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.

Which thermal storage technology has the greatest energy density?

TCES has the greatest energy density among the three thermal storage technologies, but it has a complicated control process in the application of heat storage. The main limitations of TCES materials are the low thermal conductivity, poor heat and mass transfer property, bad thermal cycling stability.

Are Japan's research efforts in thermal energy storage a late start?

It was only in the period from 2019 to 2021 that Japan's research efforts in thermal energy storage slightly increased, indicating a relatively late start in the research of thermal energy storage, and research efforts from various economies are gradually entering this field.