Reports that in the last few years, studies have reported that, while reducing on-peak instantaneous demand for electrical energy, some existing ice-based thermal storage systems significantly increase overall annual energy consumption. It is thus feared that incentives offered by various electricity supply companies to reduce on-peak demand for electricity will actually increase electrical generating requirements, and lead to a waste of natural resources and increased environmental pollution. Uses data collected from buildings that have at least two years of operating experience to demonstrate that the negative impacts recognised by these studies can be avoided when designers take full advantage of the technological features of the ice-based thermal system.

KEYWORDS: Energy storage, ice storage, USA, electricity consumption, designing, environment.