The idea behind storing thermal energy is to make use of it when it is needed. Hence energy that is stored can be used later thereby balancing the demand for energy during the day or night. Today there are thermal energy storage containers that save energy to cool buildings during the day. These systems can also be used to heat homes and offices during the cold winter months.
Let’s start with a company called Calmac which is a manufacturer of thermal storage products. As of now, Calmac has installed over 800 ice skating rinks all over the USA. Their green technology is called Ice Bank is used to cool buildings by using stored energy. This type of technology is now being used in many different parts of the world.
Icebank is a tank for storing thermal energy. The units containing water are installed on the roof of a building. The electricity produced at night turns the water into ice. During the day, the equipment is switched off. The cold water that melts from the ice is then pumped into the different parts of the buildings to cool all rooms. Hence the use of thermal energy in this way to cool buildings can actually save power by up to 20 to 40 percent.
As of now, Icebank has been installed in around 3,500 buildings in 36 counties around the world. This technology of saving power has great potential in the future. And it is a perfect example of how thermal energy can storage can be efficiently used.
Even Hawaii is now becoming a renewable energy leader by installing this technology. A Hawaiian based company called Sopogy Inc. is going to supply thermal collectors of producing 5 megawatt plant in Hawaii. This is going to be the largest concentrated power project in the Hawaii Islands. This power station is going to be highly efficient and the low cost application will produce heat as well as coolness in buildings. This plant will have the capability of storing as well as backing up energy.
There is news related to National Science Foundation that has announced an award for 14 grants that are totaling $28 million in 2010. These grants will be bestowed on 24 institutions. The grants will provide funding to researchers so that they can pursue the thermal storage of energy to enhance the sustainability of the environment.