Off-peak cooling, or thermal energy storage (TES), is an alternative to conventional chiller operation in commercial buildings. Off-peak electricity is used to provide some or all of a building’s cooling requirements by chilling thermal-storage media during times of low electrical demand. Building operating costs are typically lowered through the use of off-peak pricing by the utility company. In new construction, much smaller chillers can often be specified for use in conjunction with the ice storage; the smaller chillers will provide constant full-load operation at their highest efficiency compared to larger units which will run sporadically and at lower efficiencies. Additionally, using primary air that is 10° to 12°F cooler than the usual 55°F requires much less airflow—air handlers, motors, ducts and pumps can often be downsized by 20-40%. These systems can increase total energy use at the site, even while reducing costs and peak demand. Though point-of-use energy savings may not occur, nighttime power generation and distribution by electric utilities may be significantly more efficient than in the daytime, resulting in a potentially significant overall energy savings.
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EBN: Feature - July 2009
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EBN: Product News - July 2008
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EBN: Product Review - October 2005
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