Halime Ö. Paksoy: Thermal Energy Storage for Sustainable Energy Consumption. Fundamentals, Case Studies and Design

We all share a small planet. Our growing thirst for energy already threatens the future of our earth. Fossil fuels—energy resources of today—are not evenly distributed on the earth. 10% of the worlďs population exploits 90% of its resources. Today's energy systems rely heavily on fossil fuel resources which are diminishing ever faster. The world must prepare for a future without fossil fuels. Sustainable energy consumption—thereby maintaining continuity and security of energy resources—has become urgent matter for all countries. Concerns over an imminent climate change have increased as a consequence of global warming and many recent storms, "heat waves,” as well as "black-outs” experienced around the world.
Thermal energy storage provides us with a flexible heating and/or cooling tool to combat climate change through conserving energy and increasing energy efficiency. Utilizing local and renewable sources can be greatly improved and made more productive when coupled with thermal energy storage systems. Thermal energy storage can also be used to level out both diurnal and seasonal peaks occurring in energy demand curves, especially those which result from cooling demand.