History of Thermal Energy Storage

Energy Sustainability, Innovation and Solutions Directorate, PWGSC, Place du Portage, Phase 3, 8B1, Gatineau, Quebec KIV6E3, Canada 

Paksoy (ed.), Thermal Energy Storage for Sustainable Energy Consumption, 3-22. 

Perhaps the oldest form of energy storage is the harvesting of natural ice or snow from lakes, rivers and mountains for food preservation, cold drinks and space cooling. The following extract from 350 years ago illustrates the popularity of ice in Persia  

They use abundance of Ice in Persia, as I have been observing in Summer especially every one drinks with Ice But that which is most remarkable, is, That tho at Ispahan, and even at Tauris, which is further North, the Cold is dry and penetrating more than it is in any part of France or England, yet the greatest part of the People drink with Ice as well in the Winter as the Summer. 

Ice is sold in the out-parts of the City in open places Their way of making it is thus... In less than eight Days Working after this Manner, they have Pieces of Ice five or six Foot thick and then they gather the People of that Quarter together, who with loud Shouts of joy, and Fires lighted upon the Edges of the Hole, and with the Sound of Instruments to Animate them, go down into it, and lay these Lumps of Ice one upon the other [1], 

---