Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE| Duration: | 12/2023 - 11/2026 |
| Contracting Authority/ Sponsors: | Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) This project has been funded by partners of the CETPartnership through the Joint Call 2022. |
| Project Partners: | Danmarks Tekniske Universitet; Schniewindt GmbH & Co. KG; Seamthesis Srl; Hyme Storage ApS; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare |
| Project Focus: |       |
LoCoMoSa – Low Cost Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage for Industrial Processes
Considered system of medium-voltage power-to-heat, two-tank molten salt storage, and additively manufactured steam generator for heat supply to industry.
Energy is stored during times of low electricity prices when renewable energy yields are high to avoid electricity purchases during times of high prices.
Simulation of energy consumption and accruing energy costs over the year for a given load profile of an industrial site for 2023 in three scenarios: fully electric (based on variable prices), fully gas-based (with fixed gas price), and hybrid solution (50 % electric based on variable prices + 50 % gas-based with fixed gas price).
LoCoMoSa aims to demonstrate a cost-reduced medium- to long-duration thermal energy storage system based on molten salt. It is intended to provide heat for industrial processes at temperatures ranging from 120 °C to 450 °C. By developing a medium-voltage molten salt heater, the overall costs of the heater, including installation, are significantly reduced. The storage can be charged during times of high yields of inexpensive renewable energy, ensuring lower energy costs while simultaneously providing high supply security for the industry. Depending on the target process and characteristics of the local electricity market, energy can be stored for several hours to a week.
The project addresses the challenges of decarbonization in the industry with process heat demand at medium temperature. System simulations analyze the operating modes and application cases regarding their potential for economic implementation. Energy is stored as thermal energy during times of low electricity prices when renewable energy yields are high, to avoid electricity purchases during times of high prices and to supply process heat according to the demand. The first project result showed that implementation can already lead to significant savings, despite comparatively low gas prices. The goal of the project is to demonstrate the efficiency and reliability of the technology and to help reduce market entry barriers. A demonstrator will be designed and built at a technical scale to investigate the thermal properties of the system.
Heat will be extracted from the thermal energy storage via an additively manufactured steam generator. A novel heat exchange geometry will be used to reduce material use and size while maximizing efficiency and minimizing dead zones.
Tasks at Fraunhofer ISE include system simulation, design and construction of the demonstrator, as well as conducting exposure tests to investigate the material compatibility of the additively manufactured steam generator with the relevant salt mixtures. These tests are necessary to ensure the long-term reliability and efficiency of the system.
