Energy storage on demand: Thermal energy storage development, materials, design, and integration challenges

Abstract

Climate change along with our insatiable need for energy demand a paradigm shift towards more rational and sustainable use of energy. To drive this transition, the deployment of innovative energy technologies is necessary and required. Thermal energy storage has a prominent role to play in this context as it can help us manage the demand and generation of energy that are currently out of phase. Even though there exist many valuable review contents in the literature addressing various heat storage methods separately, the need for a concise and comprehensive source of information to present related ideas and applications is still sensed. The overall aim of the present review paper after introducing the thermal energy storage materials and working procedure is to investigate significant research contributions focusing on, and linking both practical applications and scientific aspects of the problem. Articles reporting original, cutting-edge research with experimental, theoretical, and numerical findings unraveling pertinent aspects of novel thermal energy storage systems are considered. Furthermore, their design, characterization, optimization considerations, and integration challenges have been addressed in a multi-scale manner from component to system level to present a broader standpoint in this field of science. Ultimately, short-term and long-term thermal energy storage processes have been discussed as well as the capability of thermal energy storage technology in the thermal management of batteries and high-heat-flux electronic devices has been revealed.