Thermal energy storage could help make smart cities a reality
April 1, 2015
Thermal energy storage has been enjoying a bit of the spotlight recently. The technology is being deployed in several multimillion dollar behind the meter projects in places such as New York, Texas and California, and these high-profile examples reflect the technology's proven reliability. Thermal energy storage has seen applications in modern, urban settings, such as New York University. Both Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse in New York City are examples of thermal energy storage plants that use ice to supplement their air-conditioning while providing resiliency of operation. The next horizon for thermal energy storage to cross over may be smart cities.
Smart cities require a more advanced infrastructure
The age of interconnectivity seems to be upon us - the rise of the Internet of Things and slow but steady growth of electric charging stations have exposed Americans to a peek at the future. That's why it's of little surprise that the idea of a "smart city," a network of interconnected homes, businesses and utilities, is beginning to gain popularity. According to CleanTechnica, a Navigant Research report explained that the success of the nation's pilot smart grids has garnered greater interest in developing city-scale alternatives to dependence on fossil fuels. The integration of energy storage can facilitate smart city perks like community-based power distribution that offers residents more efficient city wide electricity use.
The smart city concept is not without its technological barriers, however. The resource pointed out that major infrastructure upgrades must be made before smart cities can become a reality, especially in terms of energy distribution. Much of this need for upgraded infrastructure is driven by the intermittent use of renewable energy in smart cities, as well as the need for means of reducing the community's peak load when demand for electricity is high, such as during hot summer months. Thermal energy storage has been used successfully in the past to resolve similar challenges for utility grids and distribution lines, and the distributed energy storage technology could likely provide similar support for smart cities across the country.
Energy storage is a common theme in smart city design
Energy storage is such a natural fit for smart cities that Denmark, a country with some of the world smartest cities, has committed to test and demonstrate smart city technologies such as energy storage. For example, Denmark's EnergyLab Nordhavn is currently researching ways to resolve challenges to the development of smart cities, said FierceEnergy.
Additionally, Intelligent Utility noted that many utilities recognize energy storage as an integral part of helping the smart grid (and subsequently smart cities). Expect greater investments in energy storage as smart cities are more widely discussed and the efficiency opportunities that come with a digitally interconnected city become more obvious.
