Energy storage potential of cementitious materials: Advances, challenges and future Directions

This review paper investigates the use of cementitious materials for energy storage, emphasizing their role in advancing sustainable development. It starts with a comprehensive overview of energy storage technologies and explores the key properties of cementitious materials that make them suitable for energy storage, alongside the challenges and opportunities they present. The review covers different energy storage mechanisms, including chemical, thermal, and electrical methods, highlighting the efficiency and capacity of each approach. Performance evaluation is addressed through specific criteria, experimental techniques, and case studies, with numerical outcomes provided to illustrate the effectiveness of these materials in energy storage. The paper also discusses potential applications in energy infrastructure and construction, identifying emerging technological advancements and trends. Environmental and economic considerations, such as sustainability benefits and cost analysis, are evaluated in detail. Finally, the review summarizes key insights, outlines the implications for sustainable energy systems, and offers specific recommendations for future research and development to optimize the use of cementitious materials in energy storage.