Aalborg CSP Acquires Unique Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) Technology

Aalborg CSP has announced that it has acquired all rights and patents for unique Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) technology from Arcon-Sunmark A/S. The PTES technology is vital, in terms of developing a future-proof energy system, where energy storage is a key element in the infrastructure that will help ensure the green energy transition. The patented technology, including a unique lid design, will now be continued by Aalborg CSP for deployment around the world.

Energy storage - both high temperature and low temperature - is a vital element in the deployment of the flexible energy system, that will enable the conversion from conventional fossil fuel energy to green energy.

Throughout the past four years’ investments have been made into low-temperature heat storage to further develop and commercialise the PTES solution including a special lid technology. The goal was to create a commercial technology with well-documented and verified solutions that would address some of the key issues such as accumulation of moisture within the lid construction observed during previous deployment of the technology. In the beginning of 2020, the first large-scale lid solution applying the new patented design was completed and delivered to the Danish district heating plant Marstal Fjernvarme. The new and optimized lid replaced the existing one, which was of a previous design and damaged due to moisture accumulation.

“Over the past years, we have followed the development and optimization of the PTES technology for the purpose of establishing a potential cooperation in relation to our integrated energy systems with both high and low temperature thermal energy storages. The new solution looks very promising, keeping focus on providing utility companies with the necessary reliability and operational stability for long-term infrastructure projects”. says Svante Bundgaard, CEO at Aalborg CSP A/S.

The PTES technology has great opportunities and several projects between 200,000 and 1,000,000 m3 have already been identified in what is considered a promising pipeline within the European countries, even though the technology is still not implemented in many countries. However, with the new design concepts and a large-scale commercial project already implemented and under-going testing, the PTES technology will be a key element in the energy infrastructure development in the coming ten years.