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Sustainability
Volume 17
Issue 21
10.3390/su17219693
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

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

by
Anabel Palacios
1,*,
Yannick Krabben
1,
Esther Linder
1,
Ann-Katrin Thamm
2,
Cordin Arpagaus
3,
Sidharth Paranjape
3,
Frédéric Bless
3,
Daniel Carbonell
2,
Philipp Schuetz
1,
Jörg Worlitschek
1 and
Anastasia Stamatiou
1
1
Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CCTES), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, Switzerland
2
SPF Institute for Solar Technology, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, 8640 Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland
3
Institute 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
Submission received: 20 May 2025 / Revised: 22 July 2025 / Accepted: 22 September 2025 / Published: 30 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Storage, Conversion and Sustainable Management)
Versions Notes

Abstract

This review presents a technology roadmap for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems operating in the medium-temperature range of 100–300 °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.
Keywords: heat processes; industrial processes; medium temperature; technology outlook; thermal energy storage heat processes; industrial processes; medium temperature; technology outlook; thermal energy storage

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Palacios, A.; Krabben, Y.; Linder, E.; Thamm, A.-K.; Arpagaus, C.; Paranjape, S.; Bless, F.; Carbonell, D.; Schuetz, P.; Worlitschek, J.; et al. Thermal Energy Storage Technology Roadmap for Decarbonising Medium-Temperature Heat Processes—A Review. Sustainability 2025, 17, 9693. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219693

AMA Style

Palacios A, Krabben Y, Linder E, Thamm A-K, Arpagaus C, Paranjape S, Bless F, Carbonell D, Schuetz P, Worlitschek J, et al. Thermal Energy Storage Technology Roadmap for Decarbonising Medium-Temperature Heat Processes—A Review. Sustainability. 2025; 17(21):9693. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219693

Chicago/Turabian Style

Palacios, Anabel, Yannick Krabben, Esther Linder, Ann-Katrin Thamm, Cordin Arpagaus, Sidharth Paranjape, Frédéric Bless, Daniel Carbonell, Philipp Schuetz, Jörg Worlitschek, and et al. 2025. "Thermal Energy Storage Technology Roadmap for Decarbonising Medium-Temperature Heat Processes—A Review" Sustainability 17, no. 21: 9693. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219693

APA Style

Palacios, A., Krabben, Y., Linder, E., Thamm, A.-K., Arpagaus, C., Paranjape, S., Bless, F., Carbonell, D., Schuetz, P., Worlitschek, J., & Stamatiou, A. (2025). Thermal Energy Storage Technology Roadmap for Decarbonising Medium-Temperature Heat Processes—A Review. Sustainability, 17(21), 9693. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219693

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