In thermal energy storage, sensible heat capacity refers to the ability of a material to store thermal energy by changing its temperature. This is the principle behind chilled water storage systems, where a large volume of water is cooled and stored for later use. Latent heat capacity, on the other hand, refers to the energy absorbed or released during a phase change, such as the melting of ice. Ice storage systems utilize the latent heat capacity of water to store thermal energy, making them more efficient than sensible heat storage systems.