Can 'ice batteries' cool down our soaring energy demands?

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Researchers at Texas A&M University are perfecting a deceptively simple solution to our increasingly overburdened energy grid: ice-cooled buildings. This approach, known as thermal energy storage or sometimes referred to colloquially as "ice batteries," uses energy to freeze liquid overnight, when most people are asleep and electricity demand is lower. That stored ice is then melted to help cool building temperatures during peak hours. If successful, the end result is reduced electricity use for air conditioning during the day, which could decrease overall energy demand and help lower costs.