Ongoing projects

Full title: Thermal Energy Storage in Silos. Repurposing Grain Silos as Thermal Batteries for Renewable Energy Storage
Acronym: THESILO
Call: 6th Call of the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal Programme (POCTEP) 2021–2027 (Project Code: 0437_THESILO_4_E)
Duration: Start date: 01/01/2026 – End date: 31/12/2028
Total project budget: €1,514,237.63
Partnership: The project is led by FUNDECYT–Science and Technology Park of Extremadura (FUNDECYT-PCTEX) and involves the participation of the Technological Institute for Ornamental Rocks and Construction Materials Consortium (INTROMAC), the Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics (ADAI), the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre (IPP), the Institute for Research and Technological Development in Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability (ITEcons), the Municipality of Torremocha, the Extremadura Energy Agency Consortium (AGENEX), and the Regional Energy and Environment Agency of Northern Alentejo and Tagus Valley (AREANATejo).

Project description

THESILO is a pilot initiative that explores the rehabilitation of former grain silos as thermal batteries for renewable energy storage. These currently unused infrastructures offer strategic locations, large storage capacities, and highly durable concrete structures, making them ideal candidates for conversion into thermal energy storage systems.

Their transformation will enable greater integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, contributing to grid stability and the decarbonisation of the energy system.

The project is structured around four main pillars:

1. Silo selection and adaptation, including structural assessment, insulation evaluation, and the application of digitalisation tools.
2. Storage medium optimisation, exploring efficient and recycled materials for thermal energy storage.
3. System design and integration, incorporating Power-to-Heat technologies, heat exchangers, and heat transfer fluids.
4. Feasibility assessment, analysing sustainability, legal implications, and the replicability of the proposed model.

AGENEX's role will focus on identifying energy producers and consumers, while ensuring that the knowledge generated by the project is effectively transferred to businesses and local authorities in order to facilitate the replication of the model.

THESILO promotes the revitalisation of rural areas by encouraging investment in sustainable infrastructure, creating employment opportunities, and supporting the transition towards a low-carbon economy. Its implementation in the EUROACE region strengthens the competitiveness of these territories in the field of energy innovation, positioning them as benchmarks for sustainable thermal energy storage solutions.