Thermal energy storage project initiated by Swisspod awarded €3.5M EU Grant

The Muspell project aims to develop a novel, state-of-the-art Thermal Energy Storage System (TESS) — an important component of a sustainable and reliable energy system. The consortium comprising of Swisspod Technologies, EURAC Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, the National Institute of Chemistry in Slovenia, the Politecnico di Milano and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya has received a €3.5M Pathfinder grant by the European Innovation Council (EIC). The project will commence in October 2023 and is set to span a duration of 4 years.

A TESS allows for efficient storage and usage of thermal energy, providing flexibility, energy management, cost savings, as well as environmental benefits as it can integrate renewable energy sources. The operation of this system involves receiving thermal energy input from various sources like waste/excess heat for example from a hyperloop system, solar thermal collectors, electricity, and storing it in a suitable medium, such as a thermo-chemical or a phase-change material. When the stored energy is needed, the TESS transfers it to the desired application at the required temperature level.

By adopting an innovative approach grounded in material research, the consortium sets out to engineer a compact, highly flexible and modular system that offers increased energy density and seamless integration of heat-pump capabilities.

The quality and efficiency of implementation are guaranteed by a global consortium comprising members from various disciplines. Swisspod, a leading Swiss deep-tech start-up, is the project's initiator, and serves as the Commercialization Partner. In its role, the company leverages its expertise in business development to offer guidance, allocates resources, and devises strategies to facilitate a seamless transition and successful market implementation of the technology, ensuring continuous development beyond the project's initial scope. EURAC Research assumed the role of the Muspell project Coordinator, drawing upon its extensive experience as a coordinator and partner in 90 ongoing projects, supported by diverse European Union programs.

The positive evaluation provided by the EIC regarding the Muspell project for the Pathfinder Challenges Programme serves as a strong validation of the consortium's mission. Collectively, the group will be granted €3.1 million by the European Commission, supplemented by an additional €400,000 contribution from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI).

The Swiss Federal Decree on the Financing of the Horizon package 2021-2027 allows for funding of researchers and innovators based in Switzerland, even if Switzerland is not or only partially associated. This applies in Switzerland’s current status of non-associated third country. Researchers and innovators who take part in collaborative projects open to non-associated third country participation, will receive funding via the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. This also applies to the EIC Pathfinder. More information can be found on the SERI website.

Annually, numerous proposals undergo rigorous assessment for this European funding programme, with only a limited number being chosen. In 2022, the EIC received a total of 469 proposals, out of which 44 projects were selected, securing €167 million in EU funding, or approximately €3.8 million per project.

“This grant is more than an investment in technology; it symbolizes a shared vision for sustainability. Being selected for the EIC Pathfinder Challenges Programme brings a great recognition upon the potential of the solution we are proposing and its transformative impact on creating a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. At Swisspod, our mission is to build a better tomorrow through innovation, and we couldn't be more grateful to embark on this journey alongside a group of brilliant research and academic visionaries who share this same outlook", says Vlad Iorgulescu, Swisspod’s COO, and one of the initiators of the Muspell project.

(Press release / SK)
Picture: Adsorption module test bench | © Fraunhofer ISE / Foto: Dirk Mahler