Swimming pool thermal energy storage, an alternative for distributed cooling energy storage

The rise in distributed renewable energy generation creates a growing need to find viable solutions for energy storage to match energy demand and supply at any time. This paper evaluates the possibility of using swimming pools as a long-term cooling energy storage solution, i.e., Swimming Pool Thermal Energy Storage (SPTES). This technology allows a small building to store solar energy for cooling purposes in a yearly cycle, by filling the pool with ice slurry in winter and using that ice to cool the house in the summertime. Additionally, the pool can be used as a heat sink for a heat pump to heat the house during the winter. Results show that the energy storage cost of 0.078 US$ kWhe? 1 is substantially smaller when compared with batteries (125 US$ kWhe? 1). This makes SPTES a good alternative to support the development of 100% renewable energy systems in locations where the climate has a highly seasonal variation in temperature and the cooling demand is high in summer. Superscript/Subscript Available

Automated summary

This paper evaluates the possibility of using swimming pools as a long-term cooling energy storage solution, which can store solar energy for cooling purposes in a yearly cycle. Results show that Swimming Pool Thermal Energy Storage (SPTES) has a significantly lower energy storage cost compared to batteries, making it a good alternative to support the development of 100% renewable energy systems in locations with highly seasonal temperature variations and high cooling demands in summer.