Thermal Energy Storage Materials Challenges and Availability

Energy consumption is growing up in several important sectors such as industry and buildings (homes and services) and it is actually a crucial matter that all policy makers and governments are taking into consideration today. Thermal energy storage (TES) is presented in the new scenario as a key solution in order to reduce the peak consumption periods by reducing the gap between energy supply and energy demand. Three different methods are used to store thermal energy: sensible heat storage (SHTES), latent heat storage (LHTES), and thermochemical heat storage (TCTES). However, the materials used in these methods present requirements, constrains, and challenges which are presented here. Moreover, the availability of these materials is an important issue and it is taken into account in this article. Keywords: thermal energy storage materials (TES Materials); sensible heat; latent heat; thermochemical storage