Overview
This guide is a brief introduction to the topic of energy storage in buildings, for use in heating, cooling, hot water and ventilation, as well as power for appliances, lighting and other equipment. Energy storage in this context is defined as the reversible process of storing and then using energy in some form. It does not include the storage of manufactured fuels, such as gas, oil or biomass. The purpose of this guide is to explain the fundamental principles of energy storage and to describe the main system types and the forms that they take. It sets out to familiarise the reader with the science behind the different types of energy storage, but it is not intended to be a science or engineering textbook.
Case studies are included in order to illustrate how different energy storage technologies have been applied in the past so that readers can appreciate some of the practicalities that are involved in these projects and gain an understanding of how mature the different systems are. In particular, battery storage systems have received a great deal of media coverage in recent years and a recent example of this is included. The guide is structured with two main sections, dealing with thermal and electrical energy respectively. Subsections address the main types of technology or the applications to which they are put.