An overview of thermal energy storage systems

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 144; pp. 341 - 378
• Main Authors: Alva, Guruprasad, Lin, Yaxue, Fang, Guiyin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Automobiles; Automotive parts; Buildings; Burning; Chemical heat storage system; Cold storage; Cold weather construction; Design parameters; Electric power generation; Energy consumption; Energy management; Energy sources; Energy storage; Fluidized beds; Fossil fuels; High temperature; HVAC equipment; Latent heat storage system; Motor vehicles; Physical properties; Sensible heat storage system; Solar energy; Solar generators; Solar heating; Solar power; Storage systems; Temperature; Textiles; Thermal comfort; Thermal energy; Thermal energy storage (TES); Thermal energy storage materials; Thermal properties; Thermocline; Thermal properties; Thermal energy storage (TES); Latent heat storage system; Chemical heat storage system; Sensible heat storage system; Thermal energy storage materials
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.12.037

Due to humanity's huge scale of thermal energy consumption, any improvements in thermal energy management practices can significantly benefit the society. One key function in thermal energy management is thermal energy storage (TES). Following aspects of TES are presented in this review: (1) wide scope of thermal energy storage field is discussed. Role of TES in the contexts of different thermal energy sources and how TES unnecessitates fossil fuel burning are explained. Solar power generation, building thermal comfort and other niche applications of TES are presented. (2) Insight into classes of TES storage materials with details like their physical properties, cost, operational performance and suitability to application requirements is provided. (3) Insight into types of TES systems is presented. TES systems are classified using different types of criteria. Most common TES systems like seasonal TES systems, CSP plant TES systems, TES systems of domestic solar thermal applications, heat and cold storages of building HVAC systems etc are described. Active TES systems like thermocline, packed bed, fluidized bed, moving bed etc are analyzed. Passive TES systems implemented in buildings, textiles, automobiles etc are presented. TES systems operating in cold, low, medium and high temperature ranges are listed. Design parameters, operational issues and cost model of TES systems are discussed.
•Technology, material and research works in thermal energy storage were summarized.•Thermal properties of thermal energy storage materials were presented and analyzed.•Heat storage mechanism and applications based TES systems were shown in detail.•Performance parameters and operational issues based TES systems were discussed.