Thermal Energy Storage Technology Roadmap for Decarbonising Medium-Temperature Heat Processes

This review paper presents a technology roadmap for TES systems operating in the medium-temperature range of 100 to 300 °C

This review paper presents a technology roadmap for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems operating in the medium-temperature range of 100 to 300 °C, a critical window that accounts for approximately 37% of industrial process heat demand in Europe. Decarbonising this segment is essential to meeting climate targets, especially in sectors that are reliant on fossil-fuel-based steam.

The study analyses 11 TES technologies, including sensible, latent, and thermochemical systems, covering both mature and emerging solutions. Each technology is evaluated based on technical, environmental, and socio-economic key performance indicators (KPIs), such as energy density (up to 200 kWh/m3), cost per storage capacity (€2–100/kWh), and technological readiness level (TRL).

Sensible heat technologies are largely mature and commercially available, while latent heat systems—especially those using nitrate salts—offer promising energy density and cost trade-offs. Thermochemical storage, though less mature, shows potential in high-cycle applications and long-term flexibility.

The review highlights practical configurations and integration strategies and identifies pathways for research and deployment. This work offers a comprehensive reference for stakeholders aiming to accelerate industrial decarbonisation through TES, particularly for applications such as drying, evaporation, and low-pressure steam generation.

Authors:

Anabel Palacios1,*, Yannick Krabben1, Esther Linder1,Ann-Katrin Thamm2, Cordin Arpagaus3, Sidharth Paranjape3, Frédéric Bless3, Daniel Carbonell2, Philipp Schuetz1, Jörg Worlitschek1and Anastasia Stamatiou1

1Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CCTES), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, Switzerland

2SPF Institute for Solar Technology, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, 8640 Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland

3Institute for Energy Systems, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, 9471 Buchs, Switzerland

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9693; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219693

This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage, Conversion and Sustainable Management

Temperature levels vs. storage period of the available technologies in the working temperature range from 100 to 300 °C (blue: sensible technologies; turquoise: thermochemical technologies; green: latent storage technologies).
TRL’s comparison of the available TES technologies for industrial heat demand (100–300 °C) (blue: sensible technologies; turquoise: thermochemical technologies; green: latent storage technologies).
Comparison of temperature range, energy density, and TRL of available TES technologies in the working temperature range from 100 to 300 °C.

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