PTES in Focus: Insights from Fjernvarmen Magazine
A recent article published in Fjernvarmen, the Danish district heating magazine, highlights the current state and future potential of Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES), featuring PlanEnergi and Aalborg CSP.
The article highlights the economic advantages of PTES at scale, with costs around 50 €/m³ compared to 120 €/m³ for steel tanks, underlining its suitability for GWh-scale storage. This enables the decoupling of heat production from demand, allowing surplus energy to be stored and used when needed. The example of Høje Taastrup in Denmark demonstrates how PTES can respond to electricity market signals and optimise the use of surplus heat from combined heat and power and waste incineration.
The article also reflects on the technological progress of PTES in recent years. Developments such as the floating lid solution, implemented by Aalborg CSP, have addressed key engineering challenges, including water management on the storage cover. Experience from projects such as Dronninglund, Marstal, and Høje Taastrup shows how the technology has evolved through practical implementation.
The article includes an interview with Geoffroy Gauthier (PlanEnergi), who discusses the future of PTES in Denmark and worldwide and refers to the TREASURE project as part of ongoing efforts to scale up the deployment of large-scale thermal energy storage across Europe.
