On 29 October 2025, the ComBioTES Project reached an important milestone with its final workshop, hosted at the DTU Risø Campus and streamed online for a global audience. The event brought together researchers, industry partners and policymakers to explore the innovations developed over six years of collaboration under Horizon 2020. Technovative Solutions Ltd (TVS) was represented at the event by Dr Mohammad Azizur Rahman, who joined partners in reviewing the outcomes and future potential of the project.
For TVS, the workshop was an opportunity to present the work we carried out on the environmental, economic and social impacts of next-generation thermal energy storage technologies. It also allowed us to celebrate the progress made by the entire consortium.
A Day of Breakthroughs and Collaboration
The day opened with an overview of the ComBioTES journey and a review of the project’s milestones. Partners presented results on Phase Change Material-based thermal storage systems, the development and scientific characterisation of the MUSIC prototype at CEA Grenoble, and its performance in real operational conditions at DTU Risø. The live demonstration at the SYSLAB test site was a highlight, giving visitors a close look at how the prototype performs in practice.
Other sessions focused on software tools developed under techno-economic analysis, policy, and data protection, including new benchmarking methodologies, decision support systems and market and environmental assessment tools that will help guide the next generation of thermal energy storage solutions.
TVS's Contributions to the ComBioTES Project
TVS was responsible for evaluating the environmental, social and economic performance of the thermal storage systems developed in the project. Our work focused on several key areas.
First, we conducted a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Analysis to understand the environmental footprint of the proposed storage concepts. This provided insights into material impacts, manufacturing processes and end-of-life scenarios. At the same time, we delivered a Life Cycle Cost Analysis to help quantify long-term economic viability.
We also assessed the sensitivity of different techno-economic parameters on the Levelised Cost of Energy. This analysis supported optimisation work across the consortium by identifying which factors have the strongest influence on affordability and competitiveness.
Together, these assessments ensured that the technological innovations in ComBioTES were grounded in realistic sustainability and market perspectives. The findings will help guide future investment and development decisions in Europe’s transition to low-carbon thermal energy solutions.
Looking Ahead
The CombioTES final event marked the conclusion of the project, but it also reinforced the potential for continued cooperation among partners. The tools, data and prototypes created through ComBioTES will support further research and industrial deployment of thermal storage technologies.
TVS is proud to have contributed to this ambitious initiative. We remain committed to advancing clean energy innovation through rigorous environmental and economic assessment, and we look forward to applying the insights gained from ComBioTES in future European research programmes.
This CombioTES project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 864496.
