Industrial heat represents one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise in Europe. A large share of industrial energy consumption is dedicated to the production of process steam and low-to-medium temperature heat, typically below 400 °C, which is still predominantly supplied by fossil fuels, mainly natural gas. This results in high greenhouse gas emissions, exposure to fuel price volatility and increasing risks related to energy security.
In parallel, Europe is rapidly increasing the penetration of renewable electricity generation. While this transition is essential to achieve climate neutrality, it also creates challenges for the power system, including variability, grid congestion and renewable energy curtailment. Industrial heat demand, which is typically continuous and inflexible, remains largely disconnected from the growing availability of renewable electricity. Bridging this gap is therefore a key challenge to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal, Fit for 55 and the EU Industrial Strategy.
The ThermalBox project addresses this challenge by developing a modular Power-to-Heat and Thermal Energy Storage solution that enables the decarbonisation of industrial steam production while supporting the integration of renewable electricity into the energy system. ThermalBox converts renewable electricity into high-temperature thermal energy, stores it efficiently using molten salts, and delivers clean process steam on demand, independently of real-time electricity availability.
The overall objective of the project is to develop, validate and prepare for market deployment a cost-effective, scalable and reliable solution capable of supplying continuous decarbonised steam to small-to-medium industrial users, while also providing demand-side flexibility services to the electricity grid. The project targets energy-intensive sectors such as chemicals, food and beverage, paper and textiles, where electrification options are currently limited and the decarbonisation potential is high.
By adapting a proven technology, sensible heat storage in molten salts, to a compact, modular and industrially deployable design, ThermalBox aims to replace fossil-fuel boilers with an electrified thermal storage system powered by renewable electricity. Through validation in an industrially relevant environment and advancement to a high level of technological readiness, the project lays the foundations for market entry, contributing to CO2 emission reductions, improved industrial energy resilience and a more flexible and efficient electricity system.
