The charging process involves converting electricity to heat, which elevates the salt’s temperature to 600°C (1,112°F).
The large-scale renewable energy storage sphere is set to get a massive boost with the development of a 1 GWh molten salt storage system, which will be capable of powering approximately 100,000 homes for 10 hours with an efficiency of up to 90%.
This breakthrough is the result of a collaboration between Danish thermal energy storage developer Hyme Energy and Swiss fluid engineering specialist Sulzer.
“Energy storage with molten salts is a tantalizing opportunity to help decarbonize industry and accelerate the energy transition, whether in terms of heat recovery, renewable energy storage, or small modular reactors (SMRs),” said Benoît Martin, advance engineering manager at Sulzer.
“It’s exciting to be working with Hyme Energy to further validate this innovative technology for the benefit of all.”
The collaboration follows the successful inauguration of the MOSS demonstrator plant in Esbjerg, Denmark, in April 2024. This facility validated the concept of storing renewable energy in molten salt at temperatures up to 600°C (1,112°F).
“Our technology is designed to integrate with existing infrastructure, making adoption easier for industries looking to transition to sustainable energy,” highlighted Ask Emil Løvschall-Jensen, CEO and co-founder of Hyme Energy.
Using molten hydroxide salt to store energy
The technology utilizes molten hydroxide salt, a cost-effective byproduct of chlorine production, to store energy captured from renewable sources.
It stores electricity from renewable sources in molten hydroxide salt for up to two weeks by utilizing a two-tank storage design and proprietary hydroxide salt corrosion control technology.
During charging, electricity is converted to heat, raising the salt’s temperature to 600°C (1,112°F).
Discharge involves circulating the hot salt through a steam generator, which produces high-temperature steam that can be used directly in industrial processes to power turbines for electricity generation.
Hyme Energy reports that the system achieves efficiencies of around 90% for industrial heat applications and between 80% and 90% for co-generation. Power generation alone is estimated at 40% efficiency.
“Our reliable solution converts intermittent renewable energy into consistent, flexible green heat-making decarbonisation possible without compromise,” remarked Hyme Energy.
World’s largest industrial thermal energy storage system
Sulzer’s extensive experience in molten salt pump development, including supplying pumps for a 100 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) project in China, will be instrumental in supporting Hyme Energy’s commercialization efforts.
“With the MOSS plant providing good results since its inauguration in April 2024, we’re now working with Hyme Energy to further optimize the system, improve the competitiveness of the solution and establish a strong supply chain,” added Martin.
Hyme Energy is now developing what is touted as the world’s largest industrial thermal energy storage system, a 200 MWh site in Holstebro, Denmark, which is projected to save Danish-Swedish dairy co-operative Arla Foods around €3 million ($3.1 million) annually in process heat costs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aman Tripathi An active and versatile journalist and news editor. He has covered regular and breaking news for several leading publications and news media, including The Hindu, Economic Times, Tomorrow Makers, and many more. Aman holds expertise in politics, travel, and tech news, especially in AI, advanced algorithms, and blockchain, with a strong curiosity about all things that fall under science and tech.
