Springer, London/Berlin , Dordrecht, 2007
We all share a small planet. Our growing thirst for energy already threatens the
future of our earth. Fossil fuels—energy resources of today—are not evenly
distributed on the earth. 10% of the world’s population exploits 90% of its
resources. Today’s energy systems rely heavily on fossil fuel resources which
are diminishing ever faster. The world must prepare for a future without fossil
fuels. Sustainable energy consumption—thereby maintaining continuity and
security of energy resources—has become urgent matter for all countries.
Concerns over an imminent climate change have increased as a consequence
of global warming and many recent storms, “heat waves,” as well as “blackouts”
experienced around the world.
Thermal energy storage provides us with a flexible heating and/or cooling
tool to combat climate change through conserving energy and increasing
energy efficiency. Utilizing local and renewable sources can be greatly improved
and made more productive when coupled with thermal energy storage
systems. Thermal energy storage can also be used to level out both diurnal and
seasonal peaks occurring in energy demand curves, especially those which result from cooling demand.