Making the case for concentrated solar power
Dismissed by many in the solar industry as an overly-complex, outdated technology, concentrated solar power (CSP) is set for a comeback thanks to a scaled-down, modular approach.
Finland to host 90 GWh thermal energy storage system
Vantaa Energy plans to construct a 90 GWh thermal energy storage facility in underground caverns in Vantaa, near Helsinki. It says it will be the world’s largest seasonal energy storage site by all standards upon completion in 2028.
Polar Night Energy secures €7.6 million to scale-up sand battery technology
The Finnish startup says the funding will go towards several key purposes, including growing its sales and R&D teams and advancing capabilities in converting stored heat back to electricity.
Spanish scientists develop thermoelectric heat pump for thermal energy storage
A Spanish research group has investigated how thermoelectric heat pumps may be used as power-to-heat technology to increase temperatures in thermal energy storage systems. It found the proposed system configuration may achieve an overall efficiency of 112.6% at at 135 C.
Dutch heating specialist unveils residential thermal battery
Newton Energy Solutions claims its new thermal storage system is ideal for houses equipped with solar panels and either heat pumps or gas boilers. The battery has an energy storage capacity of 20 kWh to 29 kWh.
Brenmiller Energy commissions thermal energy storage demonstration project
Brenmiller Energy’s thermal energy storage demonstration system at the State University of New York uses crushed rocks to store energy from renewables or the grid.
Gates-backed Fourth Power pilots thermal storage based on TPV cells
Fourth Power, backed by Bill Gates’ venture firm, has developed high-density thermal energy storage (TES) based on thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells. The tech, which is reportedly 10 times cheaper than lithium-ion batteries, is based on the US company’s patented liquid metal heat transfer system.
Australian startup begins work on agrivoltaic project with thermal storage
Graphite Energy, a thermal storage company, is building a facility in Australia to demonstrate how renewable energy and agriculture can co-exist through agrivoltaic and greenhouse systems.
The economics of storing renewables with Carnot batteries
A group of researchers in Denmark has investigated how Carnot batteries may be used to store renewable energy in their home country and have found that these devices may provide a significant contribution only under a certain cost threshold.
Australian startup builds production line for thermal energy storage blocks
Australia-based MGA Thermal has secured AUD 8.25 million ($5.39 million) from domestic and international investors as it gears up for commercial-scale production of its thermal long-duration energy storage solution.
