More sustainable heat through seasonal storage

Thermal storage is profitable and relevant. Earlier Invest-NL research into opportunities for heat storage systems (‘Kansen thermische opslagsystement’) calculated a market potential of 45 PJ in 2050. Up to 2035, this translates into a market value of € 500 million. It also creates significant social return: adding buffers reduces the use of gas-fired peak boilers and makes heat networks more flexible and future-proof. Yet businesses developing heat storage technologies are still struggling to gain a foothold in heat projects. Cold feet among initiators of heat projects are a major barrier. In response to this, Invest-NL commissioned Berenschot to develop concrete tools and guidelines for initiators such as municipalities, heat cooperatives and project developers.