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Using thermal energy storage has shifted gigawatts of power off of daytime peaks in a cost-effective manner. However, thermal energy storage (TES) market penetration is small in comparison to its potential. Why? In TES' infancy (early 1980s), a small number of manufacturers carefully researched the technology and installed equipment. In the technology’s adolescent years (late 1980s and early 1990s), dozens of manufacturers, chasing the new demand-side management rebate incentives, jumped into the marketplace. These difficult adolescent years resulted in tarnished reputations and the spread of misinformation about the technology.

Citation: ASHRAE Journal, vol. 45 no. 9, September 2003