Introduction to thermal energy storage: solar, geothermal and hydrogen energy

This chapter explores the critical role of thermal energy storage in the context of solar, geothermal, and hydrogen energy. It emphasizes the imperative of sustainable development and environmental preservation by harnessing renewable resources. Renewable energy sources, including solar, geothermal, and hydrogen energy, are investigated for their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bolster energy security, and stimulate economic growth. This chapter underscores the substantial growth observed in renewable energy utilization, particularly in 2020, signifying a global shift toward cleaner energy alternatives. Technological advancements in energy capture and storage, together with the increasing global adoption of Net Zero strategies, have significantly expanded renewable and green energy production. These advances span from small-scale solar panel installations to vast offshore wind farms, innovative geothermal applications, and electricity generation through hydrogen. Solar energy, with its diverse applications, and the efficiency of solar thermal technology in capturing heat are examined. Geothermal energy’s multifaceted roles in power generation, agriculture, and building climate control are explored, with a focus on enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and their potential for expanding this clean energy source. This chapter also delves into the versatility of hydrogen energy, derived from multiple sources, in applications ranging from electric vehicle power to industrial processes and energy storage. Despite the challenges posed by intermittency, land and water use, technical complexities, regulatory constraints, and implementation costs, this chapter emphasizes the necessity of developing and executing integration strategies for these renewable sources into energy systems and societies. This integration has the potential to significantly advance global energy transition and the realization of sustainable development objectives. This chapter offers profound insights into the dynamic realm of thermal energy storage and its pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and environmentally responsible energy future.