Molten Salt Technology: A Flexible Outlook for Power-Gas Interconnection
- 1National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development
- 2University of Évora
- 3Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)
Abstract
To achieve a climate-neutral energy system, the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources (RES) must be addressed with advanced storage solutions. Molten salt (MS)-based thermal energy storage (TES) systems are a promising option, distinguished by their high thermal stability, favorable thermophysical properties, and proven scalability in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants. In this paper the authors present the findings of the Joint Research Activity within the EU-funded SALTOpower project, which seeks to advance MS technologies for future integrated energy systems. The research investigates three main areas: the characterization and optimization of MS mixtures; their deployment in Carnot Battery (CB) systems; and their integration into industrial and thermochemical processes for renewable fuel production. Special attention is given to matching MS compositions with specific power cycles (e.g., Rankine and supercritical CO2 Brayton) to maximize system efficiency and reduce levelized costs. Furthermore, the study explores the application of MS-driven heat in Power-to-X (P2X) and Heat-to-X (H2X) pathways, including the production of hydrogen and syngas, thereby enabling crucial cross-sectoral energy integration. By bridging electricity, heat, and fuel domains, MS technologies can act as energy hub integrating electrical, thermal, and chemical energy vectors. Conseguentlythey emerge as a key element for resilient, low-carbon energy infrastructures, in full alignment with the European Union’s strategic objectives for sustainability and energy integration.
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BibTeX
@article{dauria2026molten,
title = {{Molten Salt Technology: A Flexible Outlook for Power-Gas Interconnection}},
author = {Marco D'Auria and Anna Chiara Tizzoni and Luca Turchetti and Michela Lanchi and Diogo Canavarro and João Marchã and Radia Ait El Cadi and Tiago Eusebio and Paula Martins and Thomas Bauer and Eckhard Lüpfert and Simona De Iuliis},
journal = {SolarPACES Conference Proceedings},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.52825/solarpaces.v4i.2918},
url = {https://doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v4i.2918},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Molten Salt Technology: A Flexible Outlook for Power-Gas Interconnection
AU - Marco D'Auria
AU - Anna Chiara Tizzoni
AU - Luca Turchetti
AU - Michela Lanchi
AU - Diogo Canavarro
AU - João Marchã
AU - Radia Ait El Cadi
AU - Tiago Eusebio
AU - Paula Martins
AU - Thomas Bauer
AU - Eckhard Lüpfert
AU - Simona De Iuliis
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/24
JO - SolarPACES Conference Proceedings
DO - 10.52825/solarpaces.v4i.2918
UR - https://doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v4i.2918
AB - To achieve a climate-neutral energy system, the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources (RES) must be addressed with advanced storage solutions. Molten salt (MS)-based thermal energy storage (TES) systems are a promising option, distinguished by their high thermal stability, favorable thermophysical properties, and proven scalability in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants. In this paper the authors present the findings of the Joint Research Activity within the EU-funded SALTOpower project, which seeks to advance MS technologies for future integrated energy systems. The research investigates three main areas: the characterization and optimization of MS mixtures; their deployment in Carnot Battery (CB) systems; and their integration into industrial and thermochemical processes for renewable fuel production. Special attention is given to matching MS compositions with specific power cycles (e.g., Rankine and supercritical CO2 Brayton) to maximize system efficiency and reduce levelized costs. Furthermore, the study explores the application of MS-driven heat in Power-to-X (P2X) and Heat-to-X (H2X) pathways, including the production of hydrogen and syngas, thereby enabling crucial cross-sectoral energy integration. By bridging electricity, heat, and fuel domains, MS technologies can act as energy hub integrating electrical, thermal, and chemical energy vectors. Conseguentlythey emerge as a key element for resilient, low-carbon energy infrastructures, in full alignment with the European Union’s strategic objectives for sustainability and energy integration.
SN - 2751-9899
ER -