Wind and solar power are abundant and clean sources of energy, but without effective energy storage systems, much of it goes to waste. That's where thermal energy storage comes in. Did you know that up to 30% of wind and solar energy is lost due to the unavailability of energy storage systems? That's a huge amount of energy that could be put to good use if we had the right technology in place. Fortunately, thermal energy storage systems are a reliable and efficient solution.
One of the most exciting developments in the field of thermal energy storage is the use of batteries. Batteries allow us to take care of the cyclic availability of unconventional energy sources like wind and solar power. With batteries, we can store excess energy when it's available and use it when it's not. This helps to smooth out the peaks and valleys of energy production, making renewable energy more reliable and consistent.
Take Tesla, for example. The company's Powerwall battery is designed to store energy from solar panels during the day and use it to power homes at night. This type of system helps to reduce dependence on the grid and provides a reliable source of energy even when the sun isn't shining.
But batteries aren't the only solution. Thermal energy storage can also be achieved using materials like molten salt or chilled water. These materials can store heat or cold for extended periods of time, allowing energy to be used when it's needed most. In fact, many concentrated solar power plants use thermal energy storage systems to store heat during the day and use it to generate electricity at night.
The future of thermal energy storage is looking bright. As more and more countries commit to reducing their carbon emissions, the demand for renewable energy is only going to grow. With thermal energy storage systems, we can ensure that we're able to make the most of the energy we generate from wind and solar power. And with continued investment and innovation, the technology will only continue to improve.