Can we make AC units that also store heat for energy?

Systematic Search of Suitable Metal–Organic Frameworks for Thermal Energy-Storage Applications with Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants

So basically…

Global energy demand from air conditioners is expected to triple by 2050, and supplying power to these AC units comes with large costs and environmental implications.

One process that could replace conventional energy-intensive vapour compression refrigeration is known as ‘absorption refrigeration’ and could even be used as a way to store energy.

Conventional AC systems rely on vapour-compression cycles and a mechanical compression. This is a complicated system that also uses a fluorinated gas with high global warming potential. In contrast, an adsorption-based refrigeration system is much simpler, needing just a refrigerant liquid and a solid adsorbent material. It can also be powered by renewable energy sources, like the sun.

During the middle of the day, heat is transferred to the solid adsorbent, causing the refrigerant liquid to vaporise and detach from the solid material to be condensed into a liquid in the tank. When it is time to cool down the air outside the unit, the liquid refrigerant is released to the evaporator, removing heat from the surrounding area. When the refrigerant attaches to the solid adsorbent, energy is released, but when the refrigerant detaches from the adsorbent, energy is stored. In this way, the adsorbent can be used as a thermal energy storage unit.

 Interested? You can read more here.