Energetic, environmental and economic aspects of thermal energy storage systems for cooling capacity

Thermal energy storage (TES) systems for cooling capacity and their applica tions are examined from the perspectives of energy savings, environmental i mpact and economics. Reductions possible through TES in energy use and envi ronmental pollution levels are discussed in detail and highlighted with ill ustrative case studies of actual systems. The importance of using exergy an alysis to obtain more realistic and meaningful assessments than the convent ional energy analysis of the efficiency and performance of TES systems is d emonstrated. The results indicate that cold TES can play a significant role in meeting society's preferences for more efficient, environmentally benig n and economic energy use in various sectors, and appears to be an appropri ate technology for addressing the mismatches that often occur between the t imes of energy supply and demand. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.