Case Study of Load Shifting Using Thermal Energy Ice Storage in Public Facilities

Energy management is becoming increasingly important in the building sector due to the fact that it accounts for 50% of total energy consumption in industrial nations. The objective of this study was to compare a partial thermal energy storage system and a traditional air-cooled chiller system in a building retrofit in Alachua County, Florida in order to identify energy and cost savings and to quantify those savings. Initial costs, maintenance costs, energy consumption and utility rates were used to draw comparisons between the two systems. Findings include annual utility costs and annual operating costs for the two systems, and their simple payback period. The Thermal Energy System (TES) was found to be more beneficial in the long run, despite its higher cost of installation. Practical implications of implementing an advanced system such as TES are discussed to better prepare building professionals considering TES.