IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v10y2018i1p191-d126897.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Comprehensive Review of Thermal Energy Storage

Author

Listed:
  • Ioan Sarbu

    (Department of Building Services Engineering, Polytechnic University of Timisoara, Piata Victoriei, No. 2A, 300006 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Calin Sebarchievici

    (Department of Building Services Engineering, Polytechnic University of Timisoara, Piata Victoriei, No. 2A, 300006 Timisoara, Romania)

Abstract

Thermal energy storage (TES) is a technology that stocks thermal energy by heating or cooling a storage medium so that the stored energy can be used at a later time for heating and cooling applications and power generation. TES systems are used particularly in buildings and in industrial processes. This paper is focused on TES technologies that provide a way of valorizing solar heat and reducing the energy demand of buildings. The principles of several energy storage methods and calculation of storage capacities are described. Sensible heat storage technologies, including water tank, underground, and packed-bed storage methods, are briefly reviewed. Additionally, latent-heat storage systems associated with phase-change materials for use in solar heating/cooling of buildings, solar water heating, heat-pump systems, and concentrating solar power plants as well as thermo-chemical storage are discussed. Finally, cool thermal energy storage is also briefly reviewed and outstanding information on the performance and costs of TES systems are included.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioan Sarbu & Calin Sebarchievici, 2018. "A Comprehensive Review of Thermal Energy Storage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-32, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:1:p:191-:d:126897
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/1/191/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/1/191/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Oró, E. & de Gracia, A. & Castell, A. & Farid, M.M. & Cabeza, L.F., 2012. "Review on phase change materials (PCMs) for cold thermal energy storage applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 513-533.
    2. Zhou, D. & Zhao, C.Y. & Tian, Y., 2012. "Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials (PCMs) in building applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 593-605.
    3. Kalaiselvam, S. & Parameshwaran, R. & Harikrishnan, S., 2012. "Analytical and experimental investigations of nanoparticles embedded phase change materials for cooling application in modern buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 375-387.
    4. Pintaldi, Sergio & Perfumo, Cristian & Sethuvenkatraman, Subbu & White, Stephen & Rosengarten, Gary, 2015. "A review of thermal energy storage technologies and control approaches for solar cooling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 975-995.
    5. Ahmed Hassan & Mohammad Shakeel Laghari & Yasir Rashid, 2016. "Micro-Encapsulated Phase Change Materials: A Review of Encapsulation, Safety and Thermal Characteristics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-32, October.
    6. Amaral, C. & Vicente, R. & Marques, P.A.A.P. & Barros-Timmons, A., 2017. "Phase change materials and carbon nanostructures for thermal energy storage: A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1212-1228.
    7. Liu, Lingkun & Alva, Guruprasad & Huang, Xiang & Fang, Guiyin, 2016. "Preparation, heat transfer and flow properties of microencapsulated phase change materials for thermal energy storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 399-414.
    8. Medrano, M. & Yilmaz, M.O. & Nogués, M. & Martorell, I. & Roca, Joan & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2009. "Experimental evaluation of commercial heat exchangers for use as PCM thermal storage systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(10), pages 2047-2055, October.
    9. Parameshwaran, R. & Deepak, K. & Saravanan, R. & Kalaiselvam, S., 2014. "Preparation, thermal and rheological properties of hybrid nanocomposite phase change material for thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 320-330.
    10. Marques, A.C. & Davies, G.F. & Evans, J.A. & Maidment, G.G. & Wood, I.D., 2013. "Theoretical modelling and experimental investigation of a thermal energy storage refrigerator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 457-465.
    11. Liu, Ming & Saman, Wasim & Bruno, Frank, 2012. "Review on storage materials and thermal performance enhancement techniques for high temperature phase change thermal storage systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 2118-2132.
    12. Iten, Muriel & Liu, Shuli & Shukla, Ashish, 2016. "A review on the air-PCM-TES application for free cooling and heating in the buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 175-186.
    13. Regin, A. Felix & Solanki, S.C. & Saini, J.S., 2008. "Heat transfer characteristics of thermal energy storage system using PCM capsules: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(9), pages 2438-2458, December.
    14. Hang, Yin & Qu, Ming & Zhao, Fu, 2011. "Economical and environmental assessment of an optimized solar cooling system for a medium-sized benchmark office building in Los Angeles, California," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 648-658.
    15. Waqas, Adeel & Ud Din, Zia, 2013. "Phase change material (PCM) storage for free cooling of buildings—A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 607-625.
    16. Chidambaram, L.A. & Ramana, A.S. & Kamaraj, G. & Velraj, R., 2011. "Review of solar cooling methods and thermal storage options," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 3220-3228, August.
    17. Cabeza, L.F. & Castell, A. & Barreneche, C. & de Gracia, A. & Fernández, A.I., 2011. "Materials used as PCM in thermal energy storage in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 1675-1695, April.
    18. Ge, Haoshan & Li, Haiyan & Mei, Shengfu & Liu, Jing, 2013. "Low melting point liquid metal as a new class of phase change material: An emerging frontier in energy area," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 331-346.
    19. Al-abidi, Abduljalil A. & Bin Mat, Sohif & Sopian, K. & Sulaiman, M.Y. & Mohammed, Abdulrahman Th., 2013. "CFD applications for latent heat thermal energy storage: a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 353-363.
    20. Al-Alili, A. & Islam, M.D. & Kubo, I. & Hwang, Y. & Radermacher, R., 2012. "Modeling of a solar powered absorption cycle for Abu Dhabi," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 160-167.
    21. Gunasekara, Saman Nimali & Pan, Ruijun & Chiu, Justin Ningwei & Martin, Viktoria, 2016. "Polyols as phase change materials for surplus thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1439-1452.
    22. Al-Ugla, A.A. & El-Shaarawi, M.A.I. & Said, S.A.M. & Al-Qutub, A.M., 2016. "Techno-economic analysis of solar-assisted air-conditioning systems for commercial buildings in Saudi Arabia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1301-1310.
    23. Khan, Mohammed Mumtaz A. & Saidur, R. & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A., 2017. "A review for phase change materials (PCMs) in solar absorption refrigeration systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 105-137.
    24. Yuan, Yanping & Zhang, Nan & Tao, Wenquan & Cao, Xiaoling & He, Yaling, 2014. "Fatty acids as phase change materials: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 482-498.
    25. Ban, Marko & Krajačić, Goran & Grozdek, Marino & Ćurko, Tonko & Duić, Neven, 2012. "The role of cool thermal energy storage (CTES) in the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) and peak load reduction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 108-117.
    26. Su, Weiguang & Darkwa, Jo & Kokogiannakis, Georgios, 2015. "Review of solid–liquid phase change materials and their encapsulation technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 373-391.
    27. Saadatian, Omidreza & Sopian, K. & Lim, C.H. & Asim, Nilofar & Sulaiman, M.Y., 2012. "Trombe walls: A review of opportunities and challenges in research and development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 6340-6351.
    28. Sharma, Atul & Tyagi, V.V. & Chen, C.R. & Buddhi, D., 2009. "Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 318-345, February.
    29. Zhai, X.Q. & Wang, X.L. & Wang, T. & Wang, R.Z., 2013. "A review on phase change cold storage in air-conditioning system: Materials and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 108-120.
    30. Tian, Y. & Zhao, C.Y., 2013. "A review of solar collectors and thermal energy storage in solar thermal applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 538-553.
    31. Herrmann, Ulf & Kelly, Bruce & Price, Henry, 2004. "Two-tank molten salt storage for parabolic trough solar power plants," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 883-893.
    32. Kenisarin, Murat & Mahkamov, Khamid, 2016. "Passive thermal control in residential buildings using phase change materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 371-398.
    33. Novo, Amaya V. & Bayon, Joseba R. & Castro-Fresno, Daniel & Rodriguez-Hernandez, Jorge, 2010. "Review of seasonal heat storage in large basins: Water tanks and gravel-water pits," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 390-397, February.
    34. Fernandes, M.S. & Brites, G.J.V.N. & Costa, J.J. & Gaspar, A.R. & Costa, V.A.F., 2014. "Review and future trends of solar adsorption refrigeration systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 102-123.
    35. Moreno, Pere & Solé, Cristian & Castell, Albert & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2014. "The use of phase change materials in domestic heat pump and air-conditioning systems for short term storage: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 1-13.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Khan, Mohammed Mumtaz A. & Saidur, R. & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A., 2017. "A review for phase change materials (PCMs) in solar absorption refrigeration systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 105-137.
    2. Soares, N. & Bastos, J. & Pereira, L. Dias & Soares, A. & Amaral, A.R. & Asadi, E. & Rodrigues, E. & Lamas, F.B. & Monteiro, H. & Lopes, M.A.R. & Gaspar, A.R., 2017. "A review on current advances in the energy and environmental performance of buildings towards a more sustainable built environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 845-860.
    3. Zeinelabdein, Rami & Omer, Siddig & Gan, Guohui, 2018. "Critical review of latent heat storage systems for free cooling in buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2843-2868.
    4. Akeiber, Hussein & Nejat, Payam & Majid, Muhd Zaimi Abd. & Wahid, Mazlan A. & Jomehzadeh, Fatemeh & Zeynali Famileh, Iman & Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & Zaki, Sheikh Ahmad, 2016. "A review on phase change material (PCM) for sustainable passive cooling in building envelopes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1470-1497.
    5. Kenisarin, Murat & Mahkamov, Khamid, 2016. "Passive thermal control in residential buildings using phase change materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 371-398.
    6. Rostami, Sara & Afrand, Masoud & Shahsavar, Amin & Sheikholeslami, M. & Kalbasi, Rasool & Aghakhani, Saeed & Shadloo, Mostafa Safdari & Oztop, Hakan F., 2020. "A review of melting and freezing processes of PCM/nano-PCM and their application in energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    7. Liu, Yang & Zheng, Ruowei & Li, Ji, 2022. "High latent heat phase change materials (PCMs) with low melting temperature for thermal management and storage of electronic devices and power batteries: Critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    8. Huang, Xiang & Alva, Guruprasad & Jia, Yuting & Fang, Guiyin, 2017. "Morphological characterization and applications of phase change materials in thermal energy storage: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 128-145.
    9. Jayathunga, D.S. & Karunathilake, H.P. & Narayana, M. & Witharana, S., 2024. "Phase change material (PCM) candidates for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) in concentrated solar power (CSP) based thermal applications - A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    10. Soares, N. & Gaspar, A.R. & Santos, P. & Costa, J.J., 2015. "Experimental study of the heat transfer through a vertical stack of rectangular cavities filled with phase change materials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 192-205.
    11. Zeng, Cheng & Liu, Shuli & Shukla, Ashish, 2017. "Adaptability research on phase change materials based technologies in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 145-158.
    12. Lizana, Jesús & Chacartegui, Ricardo & Barrios-Padura, Angela & Ortiz, Carlos, 2018. "Advanced low-carbon energy measures based on thermal energy storage in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3705-3749.
    13. Morales-Ruiz, S. & Rigola, J. & Oliet, C. & Oliva, A., 2016. "Analysis and design of a drain water heat recovery storage unit based on PCM plates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 1006-1019.
    14. Su, Weiguang & Darkwa, Jo & Kokogiannakis, Georgios, 2015. "Review of solid–liquid phase change materials and their encapsulation technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 373-391.
    15. Wang, Zhangyuan & Qiu, Feng & Yang, Wansheng & Zhao, Xudong, 2015. "Applications of solar water heating system with phase change material," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 645-652.
    16. Memon, Shazim Ali, 2014. "Phase change materials integrated in building walls: A state of the art review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 870-906.
    17. Ge, Haoshan & Li, Haiyan & Mei, Shengfu & Liu, Jing, 2013. "Low melting point liquid metal as a new class of phase change material: An emerging frontier in energy area," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 331-346.
    18. Mao, Qianjun, 2016. "Recent developments in geometrical configurations of thermal energy storage for concentrating solar power plant," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 320-327.
    19. Pintaldi, Sergio & Perfumo, Cristian & Sethuvenkatraman, Subbu & White, Stephen & Rosengarten, Gary, 2015. "A review of thermal energy storage technologies and control approaches for solar cooling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 975-995.
    20. Faraj, Khaireldin & Khaled, Mahmoud & Faraj, Jalal & Hachem, Farouk & Castelain, Cathy, 2020. "Phase change material thermal energy storage systems for cooling applications in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:1:p:191-:d:126897. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.