Sister Projects

The ECHO project is dedicated to revolutionizing home heating, cooling, and hot water systems with their innovative, modular, and user-friendly thermal energy storage (TES) solutions. These solutions are designed to be exceptionally efficient and adaptable, delivering not only increased comfort but also substantial savings in energy costs. By incorporating cutting-edge technology, they enable electricity load shifting, reducing peak energy demands, and contributing to a greener and more sustainable future. The ECHO system’s versatility allows it to seamlessly fit into various energy scenarios, whether in small apartments or larger buildings, and it can work with different energy sources. It’s an energy-saving superhero for homes, offering the flexibility to charge using a heat pump, harness surplus electricity from the grid, or tap into renewable energy sources on-site. The ECHO project is poised to redefine how we experience comfort and efficiency in our homes, while also making a positive impact on the environment.

The ThumbsUp project is on a mission to revolutionize the way energy is stored and used in European buildings. They are developing cutting-edge thermal energy storage (TES) solutions that work on both daily (using Phase Change Materials, PCM) and weekly cycles (using TCM sorption technology). These solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate into European buildings, whether they are connected to District Heating Networks (DHN) or not. The goal is simple: enhance the energy efficiency of buildings and harness power-to-heat technology to turn European buildings into contributors to grid flexibility. To achieve this ambition, ThumbsUp is deeply testing their technology in three diverse demonstration sites across Europe, considering different climates and energy market conditions. They’re also evaluating the potential for replication in two additional sites. Through their demonstration and replication efforts, ThumbsUp aims to establish TES as a key technology for optimizing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in buildings, all while championing the role of Power-to-Heat in seamlessly integrating renewable energy sources into the grid through sector coupling. ThumbsUp is reshaping the future of European buildings for the better.

The BEST-Storage project addresses a pressing challenge: the significant energy consumption of buildings, especially for heating and cooling. With the increasing use of electric vehicles and heat pumps, electricity demand and peak usage are on the rise. To mitigate environmental and economic impacts, the project focuses on implementing demand response strategies that shift electricity use away from peak times. BEST-Storage aims to reduce peak loads, save energy, and cut costs by developing and demonstrating innovative high-energy-density storage solutions for both short and long-term needs. These solutions include seasonal storage technology, two-phase change materials, and vacuum-insulated water storage. By integrating these advancements into smart building energy management systems, the project strives to enhance energy efficiency and contribute to the decarbonization of energy supplies in Europe.