New Green Energy Storage Facility Using Molten Salt Inaugurated in Denmark, Compared to a Giant and Highly Efficient Battery.
The Danish company Hyme Energy has launched the world’s first energy storage project using molten hydroxide salt to store green energy. The project is named Molten Salt Storage (MOSS), with the first energy storage facility located in the city of Esbjerg. Soren Gade, the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, inaugurated the facility, as reported by Interesting Engineering on April 26.
Simulation of the molten salt energy storage facility. (Image: Hyme Energy).
A major challenge in using green energy is storing the abundant energy produced on sunny or windy days for later use. Hyme Energy’s solution is to store surplus energy in molten hydroxide salt.
MOSS functions like a massive and highly efficient battery. The new facility will store energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar. During periods of high production, surplus electricity is used to heat the hydroxide salt, causing it to transition to a molten state. The molten salt is maintained at extremely high temperatures, allowing for the storage of vast amounts of energy.
Future commercial MOSS facilities could store green electricity in molten hydroxide salt heated to 700 degrees Celsius at a gigawatt-hour (GWh) scale, according to Emil Lovschall-Jensen, CEO and co-founder of Hyme Energy.
By storing green electricity in molten hydroxide salt, MOSS creates a sustainable and reliable reserve when renewable electricity production is low. At that point, the thermal energy stored in the molten salt is released and efficiently converted into steam.
Notably, molten hydroxide salt has excellent thermal resistance, allowing for the storage of vast amounts of energy with minimal losses. This stored energy is a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels used in power plants and even in heavy industries.
MOSS has the potential to decarbonize energy-intensive industries. Thermal consumption accounts for 50% of total energy consumption globally and contributes to 40% of carbon emissions. MOSS provides a green alternative to traditional energy sources used for heating, aligning with Denmark’s and the world’s carbon reduction goals.
The newly inaugurated storage facility will undergo rigorous testing to prove its capabilities. After the testing phase, Hyme Energy aims to scale up the technology for the global energy market, with a goal of commercialization by 2026.
