Hot cost reducer: thermal energy storage

30.01.2025

Source: E & M pwoernews

A study by Kraftblock and "DWR eco" shows the savings potential of thermal energy storage systems. They are also cheaper and more efficient for industry than hydrogen.

Thermal energy storage systems use renewable electricity to heat and store heat at temperatures of up to 1,300 degrees Celsius. Their use can help to make industrial process heat more cost-effective and sustainable. According to a new study by manufacturer Kraftblock and Berlin-based cleantech consultancy DWR Eco, energy costs can be reduced by 30 to 150 percent per month, depending on the region.

Industrial heating accounts for more than two thirds of energy consumption in the energy sector and has so far been predominantly based on fossil fuels. It is responsible for around 24 percent of energy-related global greenhouse gas emissions, explain the study partners.

However, the transition to renewable heat is challenging and entails systemic problems. The study highlights thermal energy storage as a market-ready, scalable and cost-effective solution to drive both the decarbonization of industry and the stabilization of power grids. Response to rising system costs

"The analysis shows that thermal energy storage is the most cost-effective solution for industrial high-temperature heat - twice as efficient as hydrogen," says Martin Schichtel, CEO and co-founder of Kraftblock. "In Germany, companies can save up to 30 percent of their energy costs." By using energy storage systems, companies can use low electricity prices from times of high generation for later periods of demand and thus avoid expensive peak loads.

In addition to the cost benefits, the study sees thermal energy storage as an answer to rising system costs. The authors of the study cite the grid bottleneck costs in Germany (especially redispatch), which recently amounted to almost 3 billion euros per year.

They also mention the fluctuating feed-in of renewable energies, which leads to an imbalance between supply and demand. Price fluctuations and grid bottlenecks are the result. Thermal storage could alleviate these challenges and bring benefits for industry, consumers and grid operators.

Study "The benefits of thermal energy storage for grids and renewable power generation"

"The widespread introduction of thermal energy storage is not just a technological advance, but a necessity for the energy and industrial sectors," emphasizes Susanne König, co-founder of Kraftblock. The storage systems could be a bridge between industrial requirements and the need for flexible energy systems. In view of current technologies, market developments and regulatory incentives, thermal energy storage will play a decisive role in the energy transition in the coming years.

Author: Davina Spohn