Environmental degradation has shed light on the need for new sources of energy. A shift in energy sources calls for innovative means of storing energy. For centuries, buildings have proven able to store people, objects, and systems, inviting a conversation about their untapped potential to efficiently store large amounts of energy. In this new era, can buildings go beyond being structures of function to potential reservoirs of power?
Lithium-ion technology was one the undisputed rulers of energy storage, its widespread use in mobile phones and hybrid cars has been a testament to its reliability. However, it is currently facing criticism due to its environmental toll and geopolitical policies. The construction industry has been able to offer a solution to this 21st-century problem through multiple interventions. Bricks and cement have become contenders for these batteries, offering novel ways of storing energy. Minerals integral to construction are now key components of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems which can be installed in buildings in a way that turns them into thermal batteries. A fusion of architecture and technology foretells a scalable solution, leading nations toward a cleaner energy economy.
