Realistic utilization of emerging thermal energy recovery and storage technologies for buildings

Increasing demand for heating and cooling in the building sector is a major contributor to global energy consumption and carbon emissions. Here we report the potential for heat recovery technologies and thermal energy storage in reducing the primary energy consumption and carbon footprint of all US buildings. Using thermodynamic models of appliances with significant thermal energy utilization, we estimate that there is a potential to recover ∼3,300 × 1015 J of waste heat across all buildings in the US. Effective utilization of this waste heat using simple retrofits and inexpensive storage media can save ∼19% of primary energy consumption in buildings. The matching of operating conditions for representative end uses and energy savings potential associated with the appropriate thermal energy recovery and storage system will help researchers identify and develop tailored low-cost materials in concert with desired storage temperature and energy and power densities.