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Renewable energy and Energy efficiency platforms

Heat networks and thermal storage platform

Published on 29 April 2016


PRODUCING, STORING, AND USING THERMAL ENERGY

The heat networks and thermal storage platform is the largest R&D facility of its kind—both in size and in scope—in Europe. The platform develops innovative thermal energy management, recovery, and storage technologies for three purposes: storing thermal energy for later use, making efficient use of thermal energy in industrial applications; and distributing thermal energy via heat networks like heat pumps, boilers, and heat exchangers. 

Around 50 industrial partners—including major corporations like Alcen, Engie, Saint Gobain, and Total—work with the platform on R&D projects that contribute to improving component and system energy efficiency through more optimal heat transfer, thermal storage, and conversion machines.

The platform is home to advanced simulation and modelling capabilities and a truly unique array of equipment for the testing of systems and components in real-world conditions and at scales representative of actual use. It is home to around ten instrumented test loops, storage demonstrators, and thermodynamic solar production units.

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OUR Technologies

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ALL TECHNOLOGIES




R&D AREAS

Thermodynamic CSP, thermal storage, thermal energy systems (desalination, fouling, compact exchanger, cooling, etc.)

NOTABLE EQUIPMENT

The Cadarache CSP plant (1,300 sq. m of mirrors) coupled with a steam turbine with three-stage thermal storage; 1.4 MW gas loop at 1,250 °C; 120 bar steam loop at 500 °C

KEY FIGURES

  • 1,500 sq. m of facilities and a 5-hectare demonstrator park
  • 75 engineers and technicians
  • € 15 million in equipment
  • 15 new patents filed per year, portfolio of 60 patents

LOCATIONS

Liten (Grenoble, Chambéry, and Cadarache)

More information

CEA Tech technology-platforms-booklet





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