Thermal energy storage is like a battery for a building’s air-conditioning system. It uses standard cooling equipment, plus an energy storage tank to shift all or a portion of a building’s cooling needs to off-peak, night time hours. … The stored ice is then used to cool the building occupants the next day.

How do thermal energy systems work?

Solar thermal power systems use concentrated solar energy In most types of systems, a heat-transfer fluid is heated and circulated in the receiver and used to produce steam. The steam is converted into mechanical energy in a turbine, which powers a generator to produce electricity.

What devices use thermal energy for work?

Devices that utilize heat to do work are often referred to as heat engines. In general, an engine is a device that does work. A heat engine is a device that uses heat transfer as the source of energy for doing work. The internal combustion engine of an automobile is an example of a heat engine.