A Power-to-Heat Long Duration Energy Storage for decarbonizing the industrial thermal processes

Objectif

ThermalBox® combines Power-to-Heat (PtH) electrification technologies with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems utilizing sensible heat storage in molten salts to deliver decarbonized industrial process steam, while also providing demand side flexibility services to the grid. The system is primarily powered by renewable electric energy sourced from a renewable asset or through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), and it is capable to deliver steam up to 20 barg and 222°C. The Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) utilized is a eutectic mixture of inorganic molten salts known as HITEC®, extensively used in chemical and petrochemical applications, consisting of potassium nitrate (KNO3), sodium nitrite (NaNO2), and sodium nitrate (NaNO3), at weight percentages of approximately 53%, 40%, and 7%, respectively. The system configuration based on a two-tanks arrangement ensure a smooth and continuous operation and provides operational flexibility by decoupling supply and demand. ThermalBox® has been designed with two sets of tanks located at different elevation (namely, the storage system), an electric heater and a steam generator system.
Build to Zero positions ThermalBox® in the small to medium-sized industrial application market, focusing on delivering up to 5 MWth with cost-competitive, optimized design. ThermalBox® decarbonizes industrial heat and provides demand flexibility to electricity system operators, aligned with EU market reforms.
The scopes of the EIC Accelerator project are to manufacture, install and test our 2.5 MWth Basic Unit, to industrialize the ThermalBox production process and to enter the international market.