HELIOTROPE

Highly efficient and low-impact Innovative Thermal storage system for enhanced dispatchability in concentrated solar tower plants

About HELIOTROPE

HELIOTROPE is an ambitious R&D project addressing the comprehensive development of novel molten salts and materials technologies for CSP thermal energy storage systems, enabling operation at temperatures surpassing the current 600°C state of the art and increasing plant dispatchability. The project takes a holistic approach: new sustainable molten salts with improved physicochemical characteristics and optimum resistance properties, allowing near-zero corrosion rates and the possibility to reach 850°C on the absorber surface of the receiver. The project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101147455.

Project duration

June 2024 - May 2028

The challenge

Current commercial molten salts typically decompose at lower temperatures. Reaching 850°C makes it possible to store and generate more energy, improve efficiency and lower the cost of CSP-based thermal storage.

Our role

Aalborg CSP is specialised in the design, development and implementation of innovative CSP solutions and leads WP1, the work package spanning the project's three core technical pillars: 

1. new storage fluids
2. new storage components and 
3. preventive maintenance systems against chloride and carbonate molten salts. 

The contribution builds on more than a decade of molten salt expertise.
 

For more information visit: https://heliotrope-project.eu/