Novel thermal energy storage in the European Union

Novel thermal energy storage is a technological frontier to improve space and the cost-effectiveness of storing heat and cold. Even though many of these cutting-edge technologies currently have low technology readiness levels, they hold significant potential to benefit the broader energy system. While conventional thermal energy storage systems available today are constrained by their limited thermal energy density, resulting in the need for extensive space when, for example, storing heat in large water tanks over extended periods, novel thermal energy storage technologies offer higher energy density, enabling longer-term heat storage with a smaller spatial footprint.