Short answer

Prioritise mature sensible heat TES for immediate deployment, explore latent heat systems (especially nitrate salts) for enhanced performance, and monitor thermochemical storage for future long-term and high-cycle applications to effectively decarbonise medium-temperature industrial heat processes.

Field: Resource Management
Source: Sustainability (2025)
Method: Literature Review and Technology Assessment
Evidence: Strong effect

Implementing thermal energy storage (TES) in the 100-300°C range is crucial for decarbonising a significant portion of industrial heat processes, offering a viable alternative to fossil fuels. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sustainability. Using Literature review and technology assessment, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritise mature sensible heat TES for immediate deployment, explore latent heat systems (especially nitrate salts) for enhanced performance, and monitor thermochemical storage for future long-term and high-cycle applications to effectively decarbonise medium-temperature industrial heat processes.

Study

Resource ManagementNew This WeekStrong effect

Medium-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage: A Roadmap for Industrial Decarbonisation

Implementing thermal energy storage (TES) in the 100-300°C range is crucial for decarbonising a significant portion of industrial heat processes, offering a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Sustainability · 2025

Key Findings

01Medium-temperature TES (100-300°C) is essential for decarbonising approximately 37% of European industrial process heat demand.
02Sensible heat technologies are mature and commercially available.
03Latent heat systems, particularly those using nitrate salts, offer a good balance of energy density and cost.
04Thermochemical storage shows potential for high-cycle applications and long-term storage, despite lower maturity.
05Energy densities can reach up to 200 kWh/m3, with costs ranging from €2–100/kWh.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing for industrial heat management, consult this roadmap to identify suitable TES technologies. Evaluate options based on their TRL, energy density (e.g., up to 200 kWh/m3), and cost (€2–100/kWh) to meet specific process needs and decarbonisation targets.

Project actions

01When researching energy storage for a design project, consider the specific temperature range required by the application.
02Investigate the maturity and cost-effectiveness of different storage technologies before making a selection.
03Look for case studies or examples of how similar storage solutions have been integrated into existing systems.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop a technology roadmap for medium-temperature thermal energy storage (100-300°C) to facilitate the decarbonisation of industrial processes.

MethodLiterature Review and Technology Assessment

ProcedureThe study systematically reviewed and analysed 11 different TES technologies (sensible, latent, and thermochemical) within the specified temperature range. Each technology was evaluated using technical, environmental, and socio-economic key performance indicators (KPIs), including energy density, cost, and technological readiness level (TRL). Practical configurations, integration strategies, and research/deployment pathways were identified.

ContextIndustrial process heat applications, specifically those requiring temperatures between 100-300°C, such as drying, evaporation, and low-pressure steam generation.

Variables

IV["Type of Thermal Energy Storage (Sensible, Latent, Thermochemical)","Temperature Range (Medium: 100-300°C)"]

DV["Energy Density (kWh/m3)","Cost per Storage Capacity (€/kWh)","Technological Readiness Level (TRL)"]

CV["Industrial Process Heat Demand","European Context (as a primary focus)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive review of multiple TES technologies.
+Focus on a critical, often overlooked, industrial temperature range.
+Inclusion of technical, environmental, and socio-economic KPIs.

Limitations

The specific cost and performance of TES technologies can vary greatly depending on the exact materials used, system design, and local economic conditions. This review provides general ranges and may not reflect precise figures for every scenario.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is enhanced by its comprehensive literature review methodology. Validity is supported by the evaluation of multiple KPIs and the focus on a specific, well-defined temperature range and application context. However, the socio-economic data may have inherent variability.

Think critically

Given the varying maturity levels of TES technologies, how can a designer balance the immediate need for decarbonisation with the potential long-term benefits of investing in less mature, but potentially more advanced, solutions?

Design Principles

"Select thermal energy storage technologies based on a comprehensive evaluation of temperature requirements, energy density, cost, maturity, and environmental impact to achieve industrial decarbonisation goals."

This research provides a strategic overview of various TES technologies, enabling designers and engineers to select appropriate solutions for specific industrial applications. By understanding the trade-offs between energy density, cost, and maturity, teams can make informed decisions to reduce carbon footprints and improve energy efficiency in critical industrial sectors.

What This Means for Your Design

To make factories less polluting, we need ways to store heat for when it's needed. This study looks at different ways to store heat between 100-300°C, which is used in many factories. It shows which methods are ready now, which are promising, and how they compare in terms of how much heat they can store and how much they cost.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the selection of energy storage solutions for your design project, particularly if it involves medium-temperature heat.
2.Use the KPIs (energy density, cost, TRL) presented to justify your technology choices or to analyse the performance of existing systems.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The decarbonisation of medium-temperature industrial heat processes (100-300°C) is a critical challenge, with thermal energy storage (TES) offering a viable solution. This review highlights that mature sensible heat technologies are readily deployable, while latent heat systems, particularly those utilising nitrate salts, present favourable energy density and cost profiles. Emerging thermochemical storage shows promise for specialised applications. Selecting the appropriate TES technology, considering factors like energy density (up to 200 kWh/m3) and cost (€2–100/kWh), is essential for achieving significant reductions in industrial carbon emissions.

Source

Sustainability

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

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about medium-temperature thermal energy storage: a roadmap for industrial decarbonisation?: Prioritise mature sensible heat TES for immediate deployment, explore latent heat systems (especially nitrate salts) for enhanced performance, and monitor thermochemical storage for future long-term and high-cycle applications to effectively decarbonise medium-temperature industrial heat processes. Evidence: Sustainability (2025).
Why does "Medium-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage: A Roadmap for Industrial Decarbonisation" matter for design?: This research provides a strategic overview of various TES technologies, enabling designers and engineers to select appropriate solutions for specific industrial applications. By understanding the trade-offs between energy density, cost, and maturity, teams can make informed decisions to reduce carbon footprints and improve energy efficiency in critical industrial sectors.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritise mature sensible heat TES for immediate deployment, explore latent heat systems (especially nitrate salts) for enhanced performance, and monitor thermochemical storage for future long-term and high-cycle applications to effectively decarbonise medium-temperature industrial heat processes.
What were the main findings?: Medium-temperature TES (100-300°C) is essential for decarbonising approximately 37% of European industrial process heat demand.. Sensible heat technologies are mature and commercially available.. Latent heat systems, particularly those using nitrate salts, offer a good balance of energy density and cost.. Thermochemical storage shows potential for high-cycle applications and long-term storage, despite lower maturity.
What research method was used?: Literature Review and Technology Assessment.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sustainability.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing for industrial heat management, consult this roadmap to identify suitable TES technologies. Evaluate options based on their TRL, energy density (e.g., up to 200 kWh/m3), and cost (€2–100/kWh) to meet specific process needs and decarbonisation targets.
What are the limitations?: The review focuses on medium-temperature ranges and may not cover all niche industrial heat requirements. Socio-economic factors can vary significantly by region and specific industrial context.