HEAT RECOVERY | THERMAL STORAGE PLANT ROOM By using thermal storage in buildings with cooling and heating requirements, designers can cut energy use, reduce HVAC plant and, potentially, free up space for rooftop gardens. Joshua Martoo reports Millennium Bridge House has a prime position overlooking the River Thames. Thermal storage means freeing up space for a rooftop garden, designed by Andy Sturgeon I n a world reliant on rechargeable batteries, storing energy can improve the viability of renewable technologies as we strive to deliver greener buildings in healthier cities. Thermal-storage vessels are, essentially, batteries used to heat and cool buildings and the opportunity to integrate this concept into new and existing building designs should not be overlooked. While thermal-storage systems are not new, the focus, generally, has been on using them for heating and cooling purposes or large industrial processes. However, they are also being used in commercial office and residential developments for heating and cooling and, therefore, heat recovery. The need to improve air quality and decrease the carbon impact PAPER ACCEPTED Technicalm Symposiu osium .org/symp www.cibse 2020 48 September 2020 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE September 2020 pp48-50 Heat recovery thermal storage.indd 48 21/08/2020 15:16