Renewable Revolution

ICE made with excess Renewable Energy (or during off peak hours) is an excellent "energy battery" to provide cooling during hot temperatures.   

“Ice Battery” Technology Set To Cool Australian Homes & Cut Peak Power Demand

August 21st, 2017 by Guest Contributor

Originally published on RenewEconomy.

By Sophie Vorrath

SNIPPET:

US-made thermal “ice battery” energy storage technology that could dramatically change the way people cool their homes in summer – potentially cutting household peak power consumption by up to 95% – is poised to take on the Australian market, through a distribution deal with local solar hot water company Apricus.

California-based Ice Energy inked an agreement, in June, making the Melbourne-based Apricus the exclusive distributor of all its thermal energy storage products in Australia, covering all market segments, including utilities, commercial and industrial, and residential.

The company is best-known for its commercial and industrial Ice Bear technology, which works alongside air conditioning units by freezing water at off-peak periods, or when excess solar or wind power is available, and using the “ice battery” to provide power-free cooling during on-peak periods.   


Full article:   


https://cleantechnica.com/2017/08/21/ice-battery-technology-set-cool-australian-homes-cut-peak-power-demand/

It's a great idea. Storage is still our Achilles heel for renewables.  Off grid especially.  The arrays are getting bigger and bigger with no way of using mid summer peak production.  The industry is also playing with electric hot water for summer use.  Gas in winter.  They are are all batteries really.
Cheers,  David B