Recent developments once again highlight a key reality: oil and gas prices are, and will remain, highly volatile. For companies with significant demand for industrial process heat, this is no longer just a cost factor, but a strategic risk. The question is: how can businesses reduce their exposure to this dependency?
One key solution is the electrification of processes, ideally powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. In practice, however, companies often face two major challenges:
1. Solar and wind power are inherently intermittent
2. Energy must be available exactly when needed, forcing companies to purchase electricity from the grid (often at high cost) during peak demand periods
An effective way to bridge this gap is the use of thermal energy storage systems. These systems allow energy to be absorbed when it is available or inexpensive, and released later as heat when required.
An effective way to bridge this gap is through the use of thermal energy storage systems. These systems make it possible to store energy when it is available or cost-effective and release it later as heat when it is needed.
We recently had the opportunity to support the implementation of such a solution: The project combines AURA’s 3 MW electric heater with a thermal battery from our partner ENERGYNEST, providing a total storage capacity of 12 MWhth. Electricity is sourced either from the customer’s on-site PV system or from the grid when electricity prices are low.
With this integrated solution, the customer can:
For us, this project clearly demonstrates the significant potential of combining electrification with flexible energy use – and how practical and scalable these solutions have become today.
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