An integrated economic analysis of commercial thermal energy storage

The authors demonstrate an integrated economic evaluation method involving several computer models. The example analysis estimates the consequences of a hypothetical demand-side load management program intended to promote the adoption of the emerging thermal energy storage (TES) technology for cooling in commercial buildings. The method consists of three parts: (1) simulation of the load shape effects of TES; (2) estimation of the corresponding utility production cost implications; and (3) a simple cost-benefit analysis of the program. The analysis shows that the program provides significant benefit to society, but, even without direct incentives, it fails the no-loser test