Imagine a giant thermal thermos that stores electricity as intense heat in a special metal alloy. Instead of using expensive chemicals like lithium, it uses a ferrosilicon mix to hold energy for days. When you need it, the system turns that heat back into electricity using light-sensitive cells and provides warm water for buildings.
Current electrochemical batteries are too expensive for long-duration energy storage (10h to several days). There is a critical need for a low-cost, high-density alternative that can provide both heat and power to stabilize renewable energy grids.
A 100W TPV module, a 100L batch of ferrosilicon phase change material, and an electric furnace for the 100 kWh demonstrator.
If you are a facility manager dealing with high energy costs for heating and lighting — this project developed a 100 kWh LHTPV demonstrator that provides both clean heat and electricity on demand. It allows for dispatchable generation to lower utility bills.
If you are an energy provider dealing with the instability of wind and solar power — this project developed a storage system for durations of 10 to 100 hours. It offers a cost of less than 10 Euro per kWh, making long-term storage financially viable.
If you are a factory owner dealing with expensive industrial heating — this project developed a latent heat battery with energy density over 1 MWh/m3. It can store energy as heat at 1200 deg C and release it as needed for cogeneration.
The project aims for a very cheap system costing less than 10 Euro per kWh, with manufacturing costs for the phase change materials lower than 3 €/kWh.
Yes, the project is developing scalable processes and has already produced more than 100L of the FeSiB material using cheap raw materials.
The project is accelerating tech-to-market activities through Thermophoton, a UPM spin-off company that will receive the know-how and develop a detailed business plan.
The project targets an electric round-trip efficiency (RTE) greater than 10% and a global efficiency greater than 70%, with some targets reaching 90%.
Based on available project data, the project period runs until May 31, 2026, with a demonstrator currently being developed for a sports center.
The consortium is highly industry-oriented with a 71% industry ratio, comprising 5 companies (including 2 SMEs) and 2 universities. This structure, combined with the creation of the spin-off Thermophoton, indicates a strong push toward commercialization rather than purely academic research.
Contact Universidad Politecnica de Madrid or the spin-off Thermophoton
Contact us to connect with the THERMOBAT consortium for pilot opportunities.
