Energy storage by sensible heat for buildings

Abstract

This chapter presents a state-of-the-art review on the available thermal energy storage (TES) technologies by sensible heat for building applications. After a brief introduction, the basic principles and the required features for desired sensible heat storage are summarized. Then, material candidates and recent advances on sensible heat or cold storage adapted for building application are discussed, each with its own characteristics, advantages, and limitations. A large section of the chapter is devoted to the sensible TES technologies for buildings, both for short-term (daily) and for long-term (seasonal) storage. Each technology is described in detail including different aspects: Basic principle, development status, performance and costs, potential and barriers, today's R&D activity focus, etc. Comparisons on the advantages and limitations between different TES technologies are also made. Finally, conclusions and future directions are summarized.