On June 17–18, 2025, the HEATERNAL project consortium convened in Alcora, hosted by TORRECID, for the M24 Review Meeting. The event brought together project partners to present the progress achieved over the last six months and align on next steps to accelerate the development of advanced thermal energy storage solutions for the industrial sector.
HEATERNAL brings together a strong consortium of 12 partners from across Europe:
- 4 public research teams specialized in prototyping, modeling of thermal systems, phase-change materials, and 3D printing
- 2 metal manufacturers and 2 ceramic manufacturers
- 1 process engineering SME and equipment manufacturer
- 1 SME in LCA and techno-economic analysis
- 1 SME with experience in communication and dissemination
Together, they aim to design and prototype an innovative thermal energy storage system based on advanced phase-change materials (PCMs), enabling up to 350% higher energy density compared to current ceramic brick solutions. The system will include a 50 kWh prototype (TRL5) and digital models for factory-scale implementation. With an expected return on investment under 3 years and a levelized cost of stored energy below €6/MWh, HEATERNAL targets key industrial sectors such as steel, glass, cement, and ceramics, which require storage at high temperatures.
During the meeting, work package leaders presented technical advancements, preliminary results from the techno-economic analysis, and insights on materials testing and system modeling. Notably, the group highlighted strong synergy between scientific research and industrial manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing the project’s exploitation plan toward its first real-factory implementation by 2030.
During the M24 Review Meeting, the consortium highlighted several key achievements, including the positive performance validation of the phase-change material (PCM) prototypes, successful modeling of the storage system under realistic industrial conditions, and the identification of remaining technical and integration challenges that will guide the next phase of development. The meeting also featured productive onsite discussions and laboratory visits hosted by TORRECID, fostering collaboration and reinforcing alignment across all partners.
Partners present at the meeting:
CEA, TORRECID, LEITAT, LOMARTOV, UGent, CALDERYS, SPI, ALUMINA ESPAÑOLA, UGITECH, DELAUNAY ET FILS, CIC ENERGIGUNE
Looking ahead, the HEATERNAL project will focus on finalizing the TRL5 prototype, validating system performance, and preparing scale-up studies. In parallel, the consortium will further engage with stakeholders to align deployment strategies for 2030 and beyond.
Stay tuned to Leitat’s blog and social media for more updates on this innovative Horizon Europe project driving decarbonization in energy-intensive industries.
