Does commercial and industrial energy storage need cooling

What is thermal energy storage?

Thermal energy storage (TES) technologies heat or cool a storage medium and, when needed, deliver the stored thermal energy to meet heating or cooling needs.

What is a cool TES energy storage media?

The most common Cool TES energy storage media are chilled water, other low-temperature fluids (e.g., water with an additive to lower freezing point), ice, or some other phase change material. Cool TES technologies shift electricity use by decoupling chiller operation from instantaneous loads.

How does ice storage work?

These technologies store cool energy in the form of ice at 32°F; the ice absorbs heat during its phase change to water, with a heat of fusion of 144 Btu/lb. Ice storage systems require a charging fluid at temperatures of 15°F or more below the normal operating range of conventional cooling equipment for air conditioning.

How can ice storage and low temperature-fluid TES reduce supply air temperature?

Ice storage and low-temperature-fluid TES technologies can reduce supply air temperatures, decreasing the cost of water and air distribution systems. For chilled water TES, the storage tank is typically the single largest cost.

What temperature does a water chiller store water?

Chilled water systems typically store supply water at 39°F to 42°F, which is compatible with most water chillers and distribution systems. Return temperatures are typically in the range of 55°F to 60°F or higher. Stratified low-temperature-fluid TES systems operate similarly but with lower supply temperatures, typically between 29°F and 36°F.