A Ferrosilicon Latent Heat Thermophotovoltaic Battery

Introduction

THERMOBAT will develop an innovative Latent Heat Thermophotovoltaic (LHTPV) battery for long duration storage (10 to 100 hours) and combined heat and power (CHP) generation.

Technology Overview

The system stores electricity in the form of latent heat at very high temperatures (1200 deg C) using a new kind of ferrosilicon alloy with very high energy density (> 1 MWh per m3). It converts this stored energy back to electricity and low-temperature heat (< 70 deg C) on-demand using solid-state Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices.

Value Proposition

The value proposition includes:

• A very cheap system (< 10 Euro per kWh)
• Very high energy density (> 400 kWh per m3)
• High global efficiency (> 90 %)
• Safety
• Flexibility
• Compact design
• Silent operation
• Recyclability
• Scalability
• Capability to produce clean heat and electricity on demand

Demonstration Project

The dispatchable CHP generation capability of the LHTPV battery will be demonstrated in a sports center managed by one of the largest Spanish companies dedicated to the design, maintenance, and operation of infrastructures.

Project Background

THERMOBAT builds on the results (demonstrated proof of principle) achieved within the FET-OPEN project AMADEUS, in which a small lab-scale prototype of the system was built and tested.

Commercialization Efforts

THERMOBAT will bring LHTPV technology closer to commercialization by developing scalable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly processes for the manufacturing of the key components of the LHTPV battery.

Tech-to-Market Strategy

In addition, we will focus on accelerating tech-to-market activities through Thermophoton, a recently established UPM spin-off company. This company will receive UPM's know-how and will develop a detailed business plan to make the innovation fully marketable.

Related Projects

This tech-to-market plan is also a continuation of another EU funded project named NATHALIE (FET Innovation Launchpad), in which the market and the potential application of the invention on industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings have been analyzed.