Energy storage in buildings - a technology overview BG73 2018
BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association) is a non-profit distributing, member-based association, that describes its mission as ‘to make buildings better...’ by enabling ‘…the building services and construction industries and their clients to enhance the value of the built environment, by improving the quality of their products and services, the efficiency of their provision and the effectiveness of their operation.’
In February 2018, BSRIA published Energy storage in buildings - a technology overview (BG73/2018), a 58-page guide written by John Piggott.
It comes at a timely moment, when the built environment is going through changes that are unprecedented in their speed and impact, with smarter and more efficient use of energy being one of the key dimensions of that change, and energy storage one of its main components.
The guide provides an illustrated overview of the options available for energy storage in buildings, for use in heating, cooling, hot water and ventilation, as well as for appliances, lighting and other equipment.
It explains the fundamental principles of energy storage and describes the main system types and forms that they take. It familiarises the reader with the science behind the different types of energy storage, although it is not intended to be a science or engineering textbook. It is aimed at designers, facilities managers and occupiers.
Case studies illustrate how different energy storage technologies have been applied in the past so that readers can appreciate some of the practicalities involved and gain an understanding of how mature different systems are. In particular, battery storage systems have received a great deal of media coverage recently, and an example of this is included.
The guide is structured into two main sections, dealing with thermal and electrical energy respectively. Subsections address the main types of technology and the applications to which they are put.
--BSRIA
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Battery energy storage systems with grid-connected solar photovoltaics BR 514.
- Battery storage.
- BSRIA.
- BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Creating a smarter, more flexible energy system.
- Energy harvesting.
- Energy storage.
- Energy storage - the missing piece?
- Fuel cell.
- Sustainable development: energy challenge.
Featured articles and news
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.