Project aims:
The main project goal is to demonstrate the efficiency and functionality of a thermal energy storage device for high temperature applications (250°C - 500°C) and the production of process steam for various industrial applications. The project result will be implementation and demonstration of the technology in an industrial process steam application with a capacity of about 1 MWh. The unit will operate for at least 300 cycles in at least 1,000 operational hours.
Project scheme:

Project news:
The ISSDEMO project has achieved an important milestone with the successful completion of the storage tanks and the entire supporting steel structure. These components are now prepared for transport and installation at the Bitburger facility, marking the transition from manufacturing to on-site deployment.
The final design of the ISSDEMO demonstrator system comprises three parallelized storage tanks. The system is designed to deliver a total energy storage capacity of approximately 1 MWh, of which around 800 kWh will be directly usable for industrial steam generation.
This achievement represents a significant step toward demonstrating advanced thermal energy storage solutions in an industrial environment. The forthcoming installation phase will be followed by commissioning activities, during which the system’s performance will be validated under real operating conditions.
The project consortium is looking forward to these next stages with great anticipation, as they will provide critical insights into the practical implementation and scalability of the ISSDEMO technology.
We are thrilled to share that the ISSDEMO project was presented last week at “Eurotherm Seminar #119: Contribution of thermal energy storage towards decarbonization” in Lleida, Spain!
We introduced our ISSDEMO project to the attendees. The project is about the scale-up of a thermal energy storage which is designed for Industrial process Steam Supply. Main target is the DEMOnstration of the 1 MWh latent heat storage unit, which uses a metallic phase change material (PCM). The construction of the storage system will take place soon.
Also, we presented our recent findings at the conference. The topics were:
• Electric heating design for decarbonized industrial steam: a metallic phase change material power-to-heat system
• Metal alloy phase change material for thermal energy storage systems: characterisation and compatibility studies
These developments mark a significant step toward sustainable, flexible energy solutions for industry process steam supply.
A new scientific paper entitled "CFD Modeling of a Metal Phase Change Material Thermal Storage System for High-Temperature Heat Accumulation and Steam" has been published in the journal Energies (MDPI), presenting results supporting the ISSDEMO project.
The study investigates a thermal energy storage system based on a ZnAl6 metallic phase change material, enabling efficient storage and generation of superheated steam using Power-to-Heat technology.
The work introduces a coupled numerical model combining 3D CFD simulations with a 1D boiling model, providing insights into system performance and design optimization.
The conference “Energetyka w dobie zrównoważonej transformacji” (Energy Sector in the Time of Sustainable Transformation) took place from 22 to 24 April 2026. It was organized by the Office of Technical Inspection (Urząd Dozoru Technicznego). During the conference, Andrzej Szlęk presented the current status of the ISSDEMO project, with particular emphasis on the challenges related to the construction of the heat storage tank.
On October 21st, 2025, the consortium meeting of the ISSDEMO project was held in Gliwice, Poland. During the meeting, partners reviewed the current progress and discussed the operational modes of the designed thermal energy storage system. Each consortium member presented the status of their ongoing work, highlighting key achievements and identifying next steps to ensure alignment with project objectives. The session also included technical discussions on system integration, performance optimization, and future milestones.
On the 14 and 16th of January 2025, the consortium meeting for the ISSDEMO project took place in Lleida (Spain). The project’s progress was discussed, and a plan for further activities was approved by the partners. Results from WP1 and WP2 were summarized, covering the CFD simulations and the design of the high-temperature power-to-heat accumulation system, which is planned to be maintained by the Butburger company. A techno-economic analysis and a Social Life Cycle Assessment of the technology were planned for implementation within WP4.
On 7 and 8th of February 2024 kick-off meeting of the project took place in Sulzbach-Rosenberg (Germany). Detailed organization of the cooperation has been defined as well as other project activities. At the meeting, officer from Clean Energy Transition Partnership office was present remotely and highlighted outline of the project execution.
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Acknowledgements:
This research was funded by CETPartnership, the Clean Energy Transition Partnership under the 2022 joint call for research proposals, co-funded by the European Commission (GA N°101069750) and with the funding organizations detailed on https://cetpartnership.eu/fundingagencies-and-call-modules.
Polish partners were supported by grant no. CETP/2022/19/ISSDEMO/2024 funded by The National Centre for Research and Development.