New Technology Combines Energy Storage With A/C Units

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New Technology Combines Energy Storage With A/C Units

The energy use required in heating and cooling buildings has been a big focus for real estate owners and developers, as they work to make their properties more energy efficient and curb emissions in the wake of increased mandates. But, the latest HVAC technology could go even further—turning air conditioners into energy storage systems as well.

Air conditioning, while critically important in hot climates, is a major energy drain. Globally, cooling accounts for 20 percent of global electricity demand in buildings. A number of different technologies aimed at more eco-friendly HVAC systems have been getting more popular in recent years, from geothermal and heat pump systems that avoid fossil fuels to solar-assisted systems. 

The newest tech involves traditional air conditioning systems with an added twist: they can also store energy like a battery. The systems would be able to charge themselves at times when renewable electricity is available and energy demand is low, while still being able to provide cooling when the grid is overwhelmed.

Utility companies sometimes shut off electricity supply to certain areas when the grid comes under high stress, creating a big problem for those faced with no power when it’s in the highest demand. These new technologies would tackle this issue by helping meet the needs of the grid during the highest demand and avoiding things like rolling blackouts.

Nostromo Energy, a company that is known for its ice-based energy storage systems, is one of the firms leading the way in incorporating energy storage with cooling systems. One of the company’s products includes a system that is made up of individual capsules that freeze and thaw to store energy. While many commercial cooling units use large chillers to help lower temperatures in a building, Nostromo’s tech can store more energy with less material, due to how it uses a freezing and melting process instead of just cooling down a liquid.

Blue Frontier, a startup backed by Bill Gates' clean tech fund, makes cooling units using desiccants that absorb moisture. These systems can be more efficient than traditional air conditioners, charging at specific times and providing cooling later. Using a salt solution, the recharging system can run continuously or in bursts, offering grid relief without relying on human behavior.

With climate change driving up temperatures, air conditioning innovations are crucial. Countries across the globe are exploring energy-efficient cooling methods. In Switzerland, deep lake water is replacing traditional air conditioning, cutting electricity use by 80 percent. Singapore is using subterranean water to cool buildings, showing that even after a century, there's still room for new cooling technologies.

Insider Insights

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