Energy storage devices in home, batteries not required.
I have seen articles and posts about using batteries to store energy (mainly from renewables).
This is possibly mainly from habit and some ignorance.
There is about a dozen ways to store energy that do not need expensive batteries, and in fact the most common one is gravity (use of dams and reservoirs). Wiki has a good list.
What about in the home? We can limit or avoid batteries here too, and for very low cost.
For example, a freezer.
Load 1 to 3 gallons of gel packs water at high as possible in freezer (I know, loose a little capacity),
Set the temp 2 to 4 degrees less than previous setting.
Install a timer that shuts of wall power for 6 to 10 hours during peek temp (start 6, see how much temp changes in time).
Adjust as needed (use a cheap recording temp logger to monitor and adjust)
Yes, creating an energy sink, and not a new idea. Already there is retail system using that idea.
Same can be used for whole house, where most AC is used at night.
There are more expensive AC systems that will freeze tanks of water at night to use during day.
The reverse is true too, to heat water at low power demand for the days needs.
And best to use a Heat Pump Hybrid water heater, as it is far more efficient and the waste is actually cold air!
The main point of playing with thermal energy is LOAD BALANCE, taking advantage of surplus energy at night and cheaper rates in anticipation of heavy load during peak times.
I have seen articles and posts about using batteries to store energy (mainly from renewables).
This is possibly mainly from habit and some ignorance.
There is about a dozen ways to store energy that do not need expensive batteries, and in fact the most common one is gravity (use of dams and reservoirs). Wiki has a good list.
What about in the home? We can limit or avoid batteries here too, and for very low cost.
For example, a freezer.
Load 1 to 3 gallons of gel packs water at high as possible in freezer (I know, loose a little capacity),
Set the temp 2 to 4 degrees less than previous setting.
Install a timer that shuts of wall power for 6 to 10 hours during peek temp (start 6, see how much temp changes in time).
Adjust as needed (use a cheap recording temp logger to monitor and adjust)
Yes, creating an energy sink, and not a new idea. Already there is retail system using that idea.
Same can be used for whole house, where most AC is used at night.
There are more expensive AC systems that will freeze tanks of water at night to use during day.
The reverse is true too, to heat water at low power demand for the days needs.
And best to use a Heat Pump Hybrid water heater, as it is far more efficient and the waste is actually cold air!
The main point of playing with thermal energy is LOAD BALANCE, taking advantage of surplus energy at night and cheaper rates in anticipation of heavy load during peak times.
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