Denmark’s molten salt battery innovation is a groundbreaking technology that’s transforming the energy storage landscape. Developed by Hyme Energy and Sulzer, this 1 GWh molten salt battery can power 100,000 homes for 10 hours, achieving remarkable efficiency rates of up to 90%. Here’s how it works ¹:

• How it Works: Excess renewable electricity is converted to heat, raising the temperature of molten hydroxide salt to 600°C (1,112°F). This heat is stored in a two-tank system, allowing for efficient energy retention. When needed, the stored heat generates steam, powering turbines or providing industrial process heat.
• Key Benefits:
  • Long-Duration Storage: Stores energy for up to two weeks with minimal losses, ideal for seasonal grid balancing and backup.
  • Cost-Effective: Approximately 33 times less expensive than lithium-ion batteries for storing a kilowatt-hour of energy.
  • Sustainable: Utilizes abundant, non-toxic, and non-flammable molten hydroxide salt, a byproduct of chlorine production.
  • Industrial Decarbonization: Provides clean, consistent heat for industries like cement, steel, food, and chemicals, helping meet global net-zero goals.

Real-World Applications:

• Arla Foods Partnership: Hyme Energy is building a 200 MWh molten salt plant in Holstebro to supply heat to Arla Foods, reducing gas consumption by 50% and saving €3 million annually.
• Grid-Scale Energy Storage: The technology can play a crucial role in integrating more renewable energy into power grids, addressing daily variations in production and consumption patterns.

Future Outlook:

Global Interest: New projects are expected in Germany, the US, and Japan, sparking interest in molten salt batteries as a missing link in the global clean energy puzzle ².

Scaling Potential: Plans for a 1 GWh system are underway, validating commercial viability and potential for widespread adoption.

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