The Store Electricity and Heat foR climatE Neutral Europe (SEHRENE) project consortium partners gathered at the University of Liège, Belgium, to participate in the First Review Meeting on 22 May, 2025, as the institute hosted this event.
Dr. Mahfuza Ahmed Collaborative Research Leader at Technovative Solutions Ltd. attended the meeting on behalf of TVS, and updated the consortium on the latest advancement by TVS for the project. We have got an opportunity to interview her on the experience of attending the meeting, the first edition of the conversation was already published. Here is the second and last instalment of the interview, where Dr. Ahmed shed light on the takeaways from the event and the future plans:
What were the key takeaways from the first review meeting held at the University of Liège?
The first review meeting at the University of Liège marked a significant milestone for the project, providing important insights into the future direction of SEHRENE. To date, the project has successfully established the optimal cycle architecture and operating conditions for each use case, developed a comprehensive thermodynamic model, and defined nominal design points for the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), Heat Pump (HP), and Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems. Additionally, initial performance indicators for the Electro-Thermal Energy Storage (ETES) have been obtained. Key takeaways from the meeting included the need for further optimization of the ETES system to enhance its flexibility and efficiency. One of the critical areas of focus was the integration of ETES in different use cases, which will be crucial in ensuring that the system can adapt to different environmental conditions and energy demands. Moving forward, the SEHRENE consortium team plans to refine ETES components and continue developing digital twins for specific use cases, which will help optimise the technology before scaling it up for full deployment.
The physical/in-person review meeting helped TVS establish a closer working relationship with project partners, which is essential for effective data sharing and knowledge exchange, both critical for the project's success. The working sessions and discussions proved valuable in enabling TVS to advance its tasks smoothly. The reviewer provided very positive feedback on the work completed by TVS to date.
How have these insights influenced the project's direction and Technovative Solutions' approach moving forward?
The insights from the first review meeting at the University of Liège have had a significant impact on the project's direction by highlighting the need for further optimisation of the ETES system, specifically to improve its flexibility and efficiency for integration across various use cases and environmental conditions. In response, TVS is focusing on fine-tuning its Decision Support System (DSS) by refining ETES components for different use cases, taking into account thermodynamic, economic, and environmental factors to ensure optimal performance and adaptability. Moreover, the positive feedback and strengthened collaboration with project partners have fostered a closer working relationship, which is essential for effective data sharing and knowledge exchange. This collaborative approach will help TVS advance its tasks and contribute to the overall success of the SEHRENE project.
What are the next steps for Technovative Solutions within the SEHRENE project?
Looking ahead, Technovative Solutions (TVS) will continue to refine the Decision Support System (DSS) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) models, expanding their capabilities to handle additional use cases and ensuring that ETES systems are optimised for broader commercial use. The immediate priorities include continuing the development of the Decision Support System (DSS), with a preliminary version expected for release by Dec’25. This release will integrate the three core modules—thermodynamic, economic, and environmental—into a unified platform. The development process will include the integration of these models, the establishment of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for external database connections, and enhancements to the user interface for improved functionality. Additionally, TVS will complete the LCA modeling and perform comparative environmental performance assessments of ETES systems, benchmarking them against other storage solutions to further validate their sustainability and efficiency.
How do you envision the commercialisation and broader adoption of ETES technology in the coming years?
The commercialisation and adoption of ETES (Electro-Thermal Energy Storage) technology is expected to progress in the coming years, driven by technological advancements, market demand, and regulatory support. As energy storage becomes increasingly vital for managing intermittent renewable energy sources, ETES systems present a promising alternative to traditional battery storage, offering efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. With governments and industries focusing more on sustainable energy, ETES technology is likely to see significant adoption in both grid-scale and decentralized applications. This growth will be supported by ongoing research to optimise the technology, reduce operational costs, and foster partnerships among energy providers, manufacturers, and technology developers. Additionally, continued investment, research, and government support will help ETES play a crucial role in achieving a carbon-neutral future, providing both economic and environmental benefits as it becomes a cornerstone of global energy systems.
The SEHRENE project aims to implement ETES technology in its first factory by 2029, with plans to rapidly construct 150 GWh of SEHRENE storage capacity by 2030, capturing 0.5% of the global market. By 2040, the project targets a 1% share of the global energy storage market, translating to 1 TWh of SEHRENE ETES. Technovative Solutions (TVS) plans to commercialise its DSS as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, deploying a professional version on a cloud server by 2028, while offering consulting services based on LCA methodologies. The strategy emphasises fast market entry by leveraging high Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL 9-10) processes, aiming for a pre-industrial demonstration in 2028-2029 and rapid uptake in 2030. ETES's key advantages—no reliance on Critical Raw Materials, sustainable working fluids, and high recyclability—are significant differentiators. The project is actively addressing potential barriers through favorable techno-economic assessments and stakeholder engagement. By 2040, SEHRENE's market penetration will contribute to Europe's climate neutrality and pave the way for global adoption of sustainable energy storage technologies.
The SEHRENE project is being funded under the Horizon Europe program with Project ID-101135763.
