The focus of the current issue is on using buildings and building components as energy storages. Generally, the importance of storages in a transformed energy system is beyond any dispute. But which technologies should be used in the basically well-filled portfolio? Do we need energy storage systems that are still at a low level of technological maturity today and will not be available until the next decade despite a high level of research intensity? Or should we focus on storage technologies that are largely available, but whose real implementation is associated with higher economic risks due to their large-scale technical dimension and novelty? The answer to these questions is relatively clear from today’s perspective, because all thrusts and technologies in the storage portfolio will be needed in future energy systems. However, the alignment of activities requires corresponding efforts today.
The thermal management of already available building component masses as a flexibility option in buildings, has already arrived on the market with regard to technological maturity. It is highly interesting from an economic point of view and has enormous potential for implementation in new construction and renovation. Reports in the current issue of „nachhaltige technologien“ on ongoing demonstration projects provide an excellent overview of new possibilities for the flexible use of renewable energies in buildings, the suitability of different components and building materials for storing options, the degree of prefabrication and standardization, new types of predictive control concepts, and adapted business and utilization models.