A Comprehensive Review of Sensible Heat Thermal Energy Storage for High Temperature Applications

Abstract

Growing energy consumption and demand with the rapid development of countries lies in the upcoming usage of different renewable energies, as they are heavily researched to establish them as significant energy contributors to the world. Among them, solar energy is one of the most developed and majorly used power production methods alongside hydropower. Nevertheless, solar thermal energy generation still needs to be improved as major disadvantages hinder its quick progress compared to hydropower over the last decade. One of the major obstacles is the use of storage techniques of various types, which can facilitate thermal energy storage. This detailed review paper congregates all the charts and statistics of different energy consumption worldwide, specifically in India, and presents an extensive overview of sensible and latent thermal storage, potential materials used, current status, and some fundamental storage properties. Thermal energy storages are under heavy research as they do not resemble other types of energy storage like batteries, for which the former still needs more efficiency and required output for sustainable co-generation with non-renewable thermal energy production. Constant development in design and potential materials can lead to adequately establishing solar thermal energy plants in the coming years.