Thermal energy storage (TES) plays a significant role in the context of carbon neutrality. TES systems store excess thermal energy generated from renewable sources, such as solar or wind power. This stored energy can then be used during periods of high energy demand or when renewable sources are not available. By utilizing TES, the reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources can be reduced, leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and a step towards carbon neutrality. Thermal energy storage materials are specifically designed to store and release thermal energy efficiently. These materials should have high thermal conductivity, high heat capacity, and the ability to store and release energy reliably over multiple cycles. Various materials are being explored for this purpose, including phase change materials (PCMs), which can absorb or release large amounts of energy during phase transitions (e.g., solid to liquid or liquid to gas), and sensible heat storage materials, which store energy through temperature change without phase transition. Research and development efforts are focused on finding innovative thermal energy storage materials that are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and have enhanced performance characteristics. These materials can contribute to the successful integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, facilitate energy management, and support the transition towards carbon neutrality.

- Enhanced Energy Storage Efficiency: Develop thermal energy storage materials with high energy storage capacity and efficiency to maximize the amount of energy stored and minimize losses during storage and release processes.

- Extended Cycling Stability: Design materials that can undergo numerous charging and discharging cycles without significant degradation, ensuring long-term reliability and durability of thermal energy storage systems.

- Cost-Effectiveness: Focus on materials that are cost-effective to manufacture, readily available, and have a long lifespan to reduce overall system costs and enable broader implementation of thermal energy storage technologies.

- Environmental Sustainability: Prioritize materials that are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and have a low carbon footprint, considering their full life cycle impact from sourcing to disposal, to minimize environmental harm.

- Integration with Renewable Energy Sources: Develop materials that seamlessly integrate with renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, effectively storing excess energy and enabling a stable and reliable energy supply while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The Research Topic accepts article topics covering the following:
1. Materials Development
2. Performance Evaluation
3. Advanced Storage Technologies
4. Modeling and Simulation
5. Integration with Energy Systems
6. Life Cycle Analysis and Sustainability
7. Cost Analysis and Market Deployment
8. Technological Advances and Innovations

Contributors are invited to address these themes and manuscript types to advance the understanding and application of thermal energy storage materials for carbon neutrality.

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Frontiers in Energy Research

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