Solar heating and thermal storage buildings

What is thermal energy storage?

Thermal energy storage (TES) is one of several approaches to support the electrification and decarbonization of buildings. To electrify buildings eficiently, electrically powered heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment such as a heat pump can be integrated with TES systems.

Is space heating and cooling a viable energy storage solution?

Space heating and cooling account for up to 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings.1 Aligning this energy consumption with renewable energy generation through practical and viable energy storage solutions will be critical to achieving 100% clean energy by 2050.

Can solar energy be used in buildings?

Current research related to the utilization of solar energy mainly focuses on the integration with buildings. Alessandro et al. 11 proposed to integrate solar photovoltaic photothermal integration with buildings organically. And use the external structure of the building to maximize the rational use of resources 12.

What are the benefits of thermal storage?

For example, in utility areas with high demand charges or time-of-use electric rates, thermal storage can shift electricity use to lower cost periods or reduce a building's peak demand charges. Often, vendors have financial tools to estimate the energy/cost benefits of TES and provide detailed information about their system.