How Thermal Energy Storage Works

Thermal energy storage is like a battery for a building’s air-conditioning system. It uses standard cooling equipment, plus an energy storage tank to shift all or a portion of a building’s cooling needs to off-peak, night time hours. During off-peak hours, ice is made and stored inside IceBank energy storage tanks. The stored ice is then used to cool the building occupants the next day.

Ice at Party, A Simple Metaphor

Imagine holding a party. You’re not likely to make ice the moment people arrive. You couldn’t make it fast enough. You’d buy or make ice ahead of time, store it in your freezer, and use it as needed. The promise of thermal energy storage is similar, with this important stipulation. You still make the ice ahead of time, at night. But, the electricity you use to make that ice, is far less expensive at night than it is during the day.