Heat stored in molten salt used to process corn

Heatcube steel container with Kyoto branding in orange, sited above ground in industrial facility, with by pipes and tanks, blue cloudy sky above.

Installed on-site at a cutting-edge corn-processing facility in Hungary, the world’s largest industrial thermal energy storage system uses molten salt to provide low-cost heat-as-a-service (HaaS) from renewables.

The 56MWh Heatcube from Kyoto Group will provide KALL Ingredients with more than 30GWh of clean process heat annually, replacing natural gas and reducing up to 8,000 tons of yearly CO2 emissions.

It is a big step for industrial decarbonisation in the country, says Morten Bülow, CEO of Kyoto Group:

“Through our Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS) model, we provide KALL Ingredients with affordable, reliable, and emission-free steam — while enhancing grid flexibility in Hungary.”

Investment in clean and green

The result of a €145M investment by KALL Ingredients, the facility at Tiszapüspöki is one of the newest corn-processing plants in Europe. It can process up to 530,000 tons of non-GMO corn per year, without waste.

The corn is used to produce starches for food, paper and industrial products, alcohol for pharmaceutical and food industries, sweeteners for the food industry, and ingredients for animal feed. These products are then sold and distributed to over 200 customers in more than 25 countries worldwide.

The Heatcube is a win-win for business, says Maarten Welten, Managing Director of KALL Ingredients:

“Sustainability is central to our operations. Kyoto’s Heatcube offers a stable and cost-effective supply of clean process heat, helping us reduce energy costs and move towards full reliance on renewable energy.”

Molten salt and modular

Kyoto’s Heatcube is a modular thermal energy storage system that provides industrial customers with low-cost clean-and-green heat, that cuts CO2 emissions. Using intermittent renewable energy to heat molten salt to over 400°C, Heatcube stores from 39MWh to 104MWh and delivers up to 14MW of discharge power.

It provides a sustainable, cost-effective, plug-and-play solution that efficiently captures and stores renewable energy, converting it into electricity-powered heat to generate steam for industrial applications.

Responsible for some 40% of global carbon emissions, industrial heat production is still primarily driven by fossil fuels, at present. The sector therefore constitutes an impactful, but often-overlooked emitter.

Founded in 2016, Kyoto Group has offices in Oslo, Norway, and Seville, Spain, and operates through subsidiaries in Denmark. Its principal owner, Glentra, is a leading Danish energy fund.

Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS)

The KALL installation was made possible through a strategic partnership with Kyotherm (majority investor), Energiabörze (energy trading partner and minority investor), and Kyoto Group (technology provider), operating under a 15-year HaaS agreement via a Hungarian single-purpose vehicle (SPV).

The model helps make the best of renewable generation, explains Arnaud Susplugas, CEO of Kyotherm:

“Thermal storage solutions like Heatcube show how industry can decarbonise while adding value to the power system. The excess of intermittent renewable energy will be massive and will shape the energy landscape of the coming decade. We are proud to invest in this landmark project.”

Such options drive energy transition at national level, adds András Vinkovits, Chairman of Energiabörze:

“As renewables expand in Hungary, flexible storage is essential. With Heatcube we can act on reserve markets and reduce costs for industry.”

Headquartered in Paris, France, Kyotherm invests worldwide in renewable heating and energy efficiency. It has financed, owns, manages, or is funding a total of 60 projects, with an aggregate capacity of 270MW.

Energiabörze is a Hungarian aggregator and energy trading company that has developed and owns its innovative production control and trading solution, supporting the boom in renewables via integration.

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