Specialty grand challenge in thermal science and energy systems

Abstract

Energy is crucial to a country’s economic progress and development. Domestic, industrial, and commercial sectors have seen tremendous growth in recent years, resulting in increased energy demand. Despite increased energy production, the growing demand for energy has outstripped supply. Energy scarcity and variable power availability stymie societal progress. The rise in energy demand and peak shortages has harmed a variety of industries. Because of increased energy demand, price volatility of fossil fuels, climate mitigation, and an impending energy crisis due to the depletion of fossil fuels, renewable energy has emerged as a key option. The unpredictability of the output of renewable energy conversion systems, on the other hand, necessitates the use of robust, reliable, and efficient technologies. Such systems can generate savings by reducing energy consumption and replacing fossil fuel expenses. Renewable energy storage is important for achieving a zero-carbon future because it allows us to build a reserve of storage options that can be used anytime needed to fulfill user demand and control the energy supply during peak usage periods. By figuring out ways to store energy in this way, we can address some of the problems that arise frequently when employing renewable energy sources. Since the last 3 decades, there has been an augmented demand for space heating. Energy policies in many countries prioritize the development of renewable energy sources. Among various renewable energy techniques, thermal energy storage is an effective peak demand reduction technique. Thermal energy storage systems link the gap between the supply and demand for energy. Improvements in thermal energy storage decrease the need for infrastructure and lower the price of heating and cooling systems. Thermal energy storage makes it possible to store and use energy at a different period. The heat energy produced during the day can be used at night, and the cool nighttime breeze can be used to chill indoor rooms during the day. Thermal energy storage systems, such as heat pumps, solar energy, waste heat from power plants, and engine waste heat, offer resilience against varying energy sources. Thermal energy storage systems can aid in the daily, weekly, and even seasonal balance of energy demand and supply. Besides, thermal energy storage can improve overall energy system efficiency by lowering peak demand, reduction in energy consumption, abatement of CO2 emissions, and reduction in costs. Thermal energy storage is gaining attention towards energy storage, particularly in conjunction with concentrating solar power plants. The global OPEN ACCESS