The basics of thermal storage for horticulture

Thermal storage is the means of storing thermal energy (heat or cooling) so it can be used sometime after it is generated. Find out why you should use thermal storage and what storage medium is best.

Thermal storage is simply a means of storing thermal energy (heat or cooling) so it can be used sometime after it is generated. In most cases in the UK, it is used in heating systems and takes the form of a mass of hot water, ideally approaching 90°C in temperature and held in some sort of insulated storage tank. The heat for the tank can come from boilers, a combined heat and power (CHP) system or from another heat source, such as a heat pump. The stored hot water can be used in a heating circuit to heat a glasshouse.

There are various reasons for using thermal storage. Here, we discuss the benefits of storage, including more efficient heating systems, smaller heat generators and heating backup.

Although water is often the best medium to store heat, we also take a look at geological storage and phase change materials.