Medium to long term thermal energy storage system with embedded heat pumping capability

Project Information

Muspell

Grant agreement ID: 101114987

DOI

10.3030/101114987

EC signature date 16 June 2023

Start date 1 October 2023

End date 30 September 2027

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 3 145 242,50

EU contribution

€ 3 145 242,50

Coordinated by

ACCADEMIA EUROPEA DI BOLZANO
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Muspell (Medium to long term thermal energy storage system with embedded heat pumping capability)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The Project MUSPELL aims to drive significant advancements in the industrial sector from scientific, economic, and societal perspectives, promoting sustainable and efficient energy systems.

The project main objective is to develop a medium-temperature, medium-to-long-term Thermal Energy Storage System (TESS) with built-in heat pump capabilities, utilizing a hybrid approach with innovative TCM and PCM materials.

Scientifically, the project focuses on developing and optimizing TCMs and PCMs for medium-temperature applications, enhancing energy density, thermal conductivity, and sustainability. The integration of a 2-in-1 TESS, functioning as both thermal storage and a heat pump, represents a technological breakthrough, advancing system integration knowledge with technically and economically sustainable equipment.

Economically, Muspell addresses barriers to adopting advanced thermal energy storage solutions by reducing investment costs and increasing returns for industrial facilities. The innovative TESS design enhances energy efficiency and self-sufficiency, as it supports the cascaded use of waste heat, creating more resilient and energy-efficient industrial parks.

From a societal perspective, the TESS enhances the stability and reliability of renewable energy sources, supporting the decentralization of energy systems in Europe: it mitigates the curtailment of renewable energy, ensuring a consistent energy supply for industrial processes and promoting energy independence.

The project commitment to safety and sustainability ensures these benefits without compromising environmental integrity.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

At this stage of the project elaboration, significant advancements were made in assessing innovative TCMs and PCMs performance, focusing on energy density, thermal power exchange, and sustainability by using non-critical raw materials.

The hybrid thermal energy storage system (TESS) proof-of-concept, integrating TCMs and PCMs, was designed and is undergoing validation. A detailed evaluation of three TESS concepts with 16 sub-variants was completed, alongside ongoing development of a physical model to simulate system behaviour under diverse conditions.

Initial market analysis identified industrial processes with high potential for adopting MUSPELL technology, using a dual approach of literature review and industry engagement. Insights from these efforts have refined the understanding of viable applications.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The Muspell project aims to achieve several key results that will significantly impact scientific, economic, societal, and industrial domains.

One of the primary results is the development of the innovative TESS. Additionally, partners will work on designing and prototyping system key enabling components of the TESS.

Besides, MUSPELL will focus on enhancing knowhow on PCMs and TCMs and developing innovative ones.

Finally MUSPELL will contribute to identifying industrial sectors that can most benefit from the TESS and competing technologies to the TESS, aimed to characterise the market landscape and position innovations competitively.

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