3 ms·
Matter phase changes either require or release energy. For example, liquifying ice requires energy (which is why ice makes your drink cold when it melts), and t
by grzm 9y ago
Matter phase changes either require or release energy. For example, liquifying ice requires energy (which is why ice makes your drink cold when it melts), and the energy used to transform liquid water into steam can be reclaimed as useful work in steam engines. Phase change is one potential storage mechanism for, say, excess electricity production.
- foota 9y agoI hadn't thought of that. Thanks! Maybe someday we'll have steam pipelines instead of gas pipelines?
- grzm 9y agoIt comes down to efficiency of transfer. I've heard of steam being used for power in machine shops and for heat in cities. I doubt the efficiencies make sense over much distance. I used water as only an example. I don't think steam is generally thought of in terms of energy storage.