Launch of the world's first giant molten salt 'battery'

The newly inaugurated molten salt green energy storage facility in Denmark is like a giant and extremely efficient battery.

Danish company Hyme Energy launches the world's first energy storage project using molten hydroxide salt to store green energy. The project is called Molten Salt Storage (MOSS) and the first energy storage facility is located in the city of Esbjerg. Soren Gade, Chairman of the Danish Parliament, inaugurated this facility, Interesting Engineering reported on April 26.

Simulation of a molten salt energy storage facility. (Photo: Hyme Energy).

A major challenge when using green energy is storing the abundant energy produced during sunny or windy days for later use. Hyme Energy's solution is to store excess energy in molten hydroxide salt.

MOSS is like a giant battery and is extremely efficient. The new facility will store energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar. During periods of good production, excess electricity is used to heat the salt hydroxide, causing it to enter a molten state. Molten salt is kept at extremely high temperatures, helping to store enormous levels of energy.

Future commercial MOSS facilities could store green electricity in molten hydroxide salt heated to 700 degrees Celsius at the gigawatt hour (GWh) scale, according to Ask Emil Lovschall-Jensen, CEO and co-founder of Hyme Energy.

By storing green electricity in molten hydroxide salt, MOSS creates a sustainable and reliable reserve when renewable electricity production is low. Then, the heat energy stored in the molten salt is released and effectively converted into steam.

Notably, molten hydroxide salts withstand heat very well, allowing huge levels of energy to be stored with minimal loss. This stored energy is a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels used in power plants and even heavy industries.

MOSS has the potential to decarbonize energy-intensive industries. Heat consumption accounts for 50% of total energy consumption globally, and also contributes 40% of carbon emissions. MOSS provides a green alternative to traditional energy sources used to generate heat, in line with Denmark's and the world's carbon reduction goals.

The newly opened storage facility will undergo rigorous testing to demonstrate its capabilities. Following the testing process, Hyme Energy will work to scale the technology for the global energy market, aiming for commercialization in 2026.