review · Energy Reports
Thermal energy storage systems, also termed thermal batteries, use phase change materials to support sustainable energy supply by improving the efficiency, reliability, and security of renewable energy systems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and expanding energy access in isolated areas. A systematic literature review covering 2013 to 2023 analysed research on thermal batteries across industrial, commercial, and domestic settings to identify the key factors determining their performance. The review establishes that system optimisation requires careful consideration of material thermophysical properties, design configurations, and operating conditions. Furthermore, it outlines current knowledge gaps and proposes future research pathways, specifically highlighting the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to achieve faster and more precise system optimisation for industrial and academic deployment.
Energy storage is critical for making renewable energy reliable and accessible, especially in off-grid or remote areas. By reviewing how phase change materials improve thermal batteries, this research clarifies how design, materials, and operating conditions interact to maximise energy efficiency, offering a clearer pathway towards lower emissions and greater energy security across homes and businesses.
The findings apply to industrial, commercial, and domestic energy systems seeking to integrate renewable sources or secure energy in isolated regions. Because this is a systematic review of existing research from 2013 to 2023 rather than a prototype trial, it sits at an early, analytical stage. Industry practitioners and developers can use its design and material insights, alongside proposed machine learning techniques, to guide future thermal battery optimisation.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Thermal energy storage systems, also known as thermal batteries integrated with phase change materials, have gained significant attention in recent years as a promising solution for sustainable energy supply. Thermal batteries can significantly promote a sustainable energy supply by boosting the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems, enhancing energy access in isolated regions, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing energy security. However, there are still challenges to optimising these systems to maximise their efficiency and effectiveness. This study presents a systematic literature review of various thermal batteries for industrial, commercial, and domestic applications. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines were adopted for this review. The primary objective was to identify factors affecting thermal battery performance. Data collection was focused on research papers published from 2013–2023 extracted from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The study findings highlight the importance of considering material thermophysical properties, design configurations, and operating conditions when optimising thermal batteries. Also, this study highlights the current state of knowledge in the field and suggests future research and development directions. In particular, artificial intelligence and machine learning are suggested to promote faster and more precise optimisation of thermal batteries. The findings of this study are useful to academia and industries promoting the adoption of sustainable energy solutions for a greener and more resilient future.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2023.09.044
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
