Integrating Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Region
Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)Description
(1.2) Technical Manual on reporting and financial procedures(EN)
(1.3) Management Toolkit(EN)
(1.4) Baseline Survey(EN)
(1.5) External Monitoring and Evaluation Report(EN)
(1.6) Progress reports to MA(EN)
(2.1) Communication Plan(EN)
(2.2) Kick-off Event(EN)
(2.3) Information Content for Stakeholders(EN)
(2.4) Project Poster(EN)
(2.5) Printed Communications Materials(EN)
(2.6) Social media communications(EN)
(2.7) Video Communications(EN)
(2.8) Dissemination Events(EN)
(2.9) Closing Event(EN)
(3.1) A digital platform for enhanced visibility of seasonal thermal energy storage is functional(EN)
(4.1) Design Toolkit of seasonal thermal energy storage systems for the Mediterranean Region is conceived(EN)
(5.1) Pilot actions that involve tank or borehole thermal energy storage systems are implemented(EN)
(6.1) Transnational evaluation of pilots and drafting of policies for long-term integration are conducted(EN)
Website: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/project-page/storm/about/
Thematic information
Priority:
(VI-B_MSB_2) Priority 2: A greener, low-carbon and resilient MediterraneanPriority specific objective:
RSO2.1. Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissionsPriority policy objective (Interreg specific objective):
PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobilityType of intervention:
041 Energy efficiency renovation of existing housing stock, demonstration projects and supporting measuresPartners (7)
Lead Partner: American University of Beirut; الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 123329 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False
Address: Bliss street, 1107 , 2020 Beirut, Lebanon
Legal status: private
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: http://www.aub.edu.lb
Total budget: EUR 836 960.67
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 744 894.99
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 92 065.68
Contractors:
-
Name: Sofia Pla Oset
VAT registration or tax identification number: 123329-601 -
Name: Thermal Energy Sys Specialists
VAT registration or tax identification number: 20-0605014
- Fundació Privada Knowledge Innovation Market BCN
-
Name: Fundació Privada Knowledge Innovation Market BCN
Department: European Projects
Partner’s ID if not PIC: G64875941 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True
Address: Avda. Diagonal, 452, 60800 6 plantaBarcelona, Spain
Legal status: public
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: https://kimglobal.com/es/kimbcn/
Total budget: EUR 370 786.52
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 330 000.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 40 786.52
- Università degli Studi di Palermo
-
Name: Università degli Studi di Palermo
Department: Departments of Architecture, Engineering, and Law
Partner’s ID if not PIC: IVA 00605880822 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True
Address: Palermo, Italy
Legal status: public
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: https://www.unipa.it/
Total budget: EUR 505 617.98
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 450 000.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 55 617.98
- Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
-
Name: Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
Department: Dipartimento di Architettura e Disegno Industriale
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 02044190615 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True
Address: viale Abramo Lincoln n. 5, 81100 Caserta, Italy
Legal status: public
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: https://www.unicampania.it
Total budget: EUR 337 078.68
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 300 000.02
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 37 078.66
Contractors:
-
Name: MP INFORMATICA E DISTRIBUZIONE
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01765830623
-
Name: MP INFORMATICA E DISTRIBUZIONE
- The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
-
Name: The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
Partner’s ID if not PIC: HE427198 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False
Address: Lampousas, 1, Nicosia, CyprusNicosia, Cyprus
Legal status: private
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: https://www.aubmed.ac.cy/
Total budget: EUR 134 831.45
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 119 999.99
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 14 831.46
- الجمعية العلمية الملكية/المركز الوطني لبحوث الطاقة
-
Name: الجمعية العلمية الملكية/المركز الوطني لبحوث الطاقة
Department: Energy Efficiency and Solar Thermal Division
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1970015002 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False
Address: Royal Scientific Society (RSS), 70 Al Jubaiha, Amman, Jordan
Legal status: private
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: http://www.rss.jo
Total budget: EUR 438 202.24
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 389 999.99
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 48 202.25
Contractors:
-
Name: Integrated Standards Auditing
VAT registration or tax identification number: 16173325 -
Name: GTS
VAT registration or tax identification number: 016638441 -
Name: SMADI
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4652061 -
Name: Green Environment for IT
VAT registration or tax identification number: 15038890 -
Name: TESS LLC
VAT registration or tax identification number: 6082742577 -
Name: al-Shua'a
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4607155
-
Name: Integrated Standards Auditing
- المركز اللبناني لحفظ الطاقة
-
Name: المركز اللبناني لحفظ الطاقة
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 172 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True
Address: Beirut, Lebanon
Legal status: public
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: http://www.lcec.org.lb
Total budget: EUR 78 651.69
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 70 000.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 8 651.69
Contractors:
-
Name: Teletrade
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4480-601
-
Name: Teletrade
Partners map
Integrating Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Region
Integrating Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Region
Integrating Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Region
Integrating Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Region
Integrating Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Region
Integrating Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Region
Integrating Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Region
Lead partner
Project partner
Summary
Project acronym: STORM~A_T_2.1_0553
Project ID: 00006
Project start date: 2025-08-05
Project end date: 2028-08-04
Project status:
ongoingRelevant linked projects:
- PITAGORAS – Sustainable urban Planning with Innovative and low energy Thermal And power Generation from Residual And renewable Sources (EU’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 314596) (EN) | PITAGORAS is the first EU-funded projects that studied the industrial integration of solar thermal energy in combination with seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) through full scale PILOTs that were implemented in Kremsmünster (Austria) and Graz (Austria). The developed work shows a solution for the reconversion of an existing tank into a STES, demonstrating the technical and economical feasibility and the need for insulating the cover of the thermal storage tank for effective integration and efficiency.
- STORM will exploit the outputs of the project as per the below:
- (1) The design of solar collector fields in the STORM project will be guided by the findings reported in the PITAGORAS project with regards to real solar collectors efficiency measurements from the Pilot of Graz. These tests have provided very valuable insights for future development of solar collectors.
- (2) STORM will exploit the results of the energy studies that were done in TRNSYS in the Kremsmünster Pilot to link the design heat demand to the design of the solar collectors and the thermal energy storage tank and to aid the sizing of the STORM pilots and estimate the implementation costs and expected efficiencies.
- (3) In the same pilot, STORM will exploit the data reflecting an expected solar net gain of 485 kWh/m2 and a storage thermal capacity of 75 kWh/m3. These numbers are important and will be used to guide the preliminary sizing of the solar-assisted seasonal thermal energy storages in the STORM Pilots.
- (4) Finally, STORM will exploit the design of the effective thermal energy delivery system adopted in the Kremsmünster Pilot project to guide the design of the thermal energy delivery system of the STORM Pilots. (EN), SUNSTORE 4: Innovative, multi-applicable-cost efficient hybrid solar (55%) and biomass energy (45%) large scale (district) heating system with long term heat storage and organic Rankine cycle electricity production (7th Programme for research 249800) (EN) | SUNSTORE™ demonstrates an energy concept of a large-scale innovative, cost efficient, and technically reliable 100 % renewable energy supply system for a (Marstal, DK) large scale (district) heating system with yearly heating production of 28,000 MWh. The plant comprises a 15,000 m2 solar system, a CHP system with a low emission, a 4.0 MW wood chip thermal oil boiler, a 750 kWel ORC, a 75,000 m3 pit heat storage, and a 1.5 MW (thermal) heat pump which supplements the existing demonstration plant (SUNSTORE 2) that includes 18,365 m2 solar thermal and 10,340 m3 pilot pit heat storage.
- In the Summer , the solar system loads the storage and provides Marstal with district heating. From September, the stored heat has to be supplied with heat from the wood chip boiler or the heat pump which runs when the electricity prices are low. In the Winter period the back-up boilers will supply a few hours and/or the heat pump has to run also when the electricity price is higher. In February, the solar system heats up the storage again. The wood chip boiler will run full time until April. The production system was implemented in 2011-12 and is connected to a network of 1,550 consumers. In 2012, the total energy sold amounted to 26,500 MWh.
- The output to be exploited from SUNSTORE 4 is a “Feasibility Evaluation Tool – v 2.1”. The tool is in the form of a spreadsheet that is freely available. The tool takes as input climate conditions, thermal heating demand, and energy prices for different heat sources (biomass, electricity, electricity for heat pump, and heat cost from traditional district heating) and provides as output results from feasibility studies for combinations of scenarios that could involve solar collectors, biomass boilers, and heat pumps in combination with four types of short term and seasonal thermal energy storage systems (Pit, Tank, and Borehole). The tool will be used to inform the design of the pilots in the different partner countries in STORM. (EN), HEATSTORE: Underground Thermal Energy Storage facilitates the low-carbon transition of the heating and cooling sector (GEOTHERMICA – ERA NET Cofund under grant agreement No 731117) (EN) | The main objectives of HEATSTORE was to lower the cost, reduce risks, and improve the performance of high temperature (~25°C to ~90°C) thermal energy storage technologies. This was primarily achieved by 6 demonstration pilots and 8 case studies of existing systems with distinct configurations of heat sources, heat storage and heat utilization.
- STORM will exploit the experience gained from modelling the performance of BTES systems in the French pilot (Vallin-Fier eco-neighbourhood in Annecy) and in previous pilots that were studied and analyzed as part of HEATSTORE (Belgium pilot executed from 2002 till 2005 as a high temperature 90°C BTES). In particular, STORM will exploit the recommendations related to (1) the design of BTES systems, (2) the construction of BTES, (3) Optimal dimensioning of BTES systems including shape and number and spacing of boreholes, (4) optimal configuration of tubes and connections, and (5) specifications related to geological conditions.
- The HEATSTORE final report includes a basic but important checklist that will be utilized in the planning and design of the STORM BTES Pilots in the American University of Beirut and the University of Palermo. This list includes the following:
- 1. Special regulation for the area: Check if it is a wildlife and botanical protected area (normally not a problem as the area above the store can be re-established). Check if there are special restrictions due to drinking water supply
- 2. Change of status of land use : Check if changes are needed for district plans and municipality plans
- 3. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Check if full EIA or only EIA “screening” is required
- 4. Groundwater should not be heated: Give evidence that groundwater will not be heated as it may set limitations to the borehole depth
- 5. Use of antifreeze fluid: If a glycol is to be used, check if any restrictions e.g. requirement for leakage control exist
- 6. Check environmental permissions (EN), EINSTEIN: Effective Integration of Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage in Existing Buildings. (EU’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 284932) (EN) | The main objective of Einstein was to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate low energy heating systems based on solar thermal energy combined with Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage (STES) concepts and coupled with heat pumps. The aim was to demonstrate the feasibility from a technical and economic point of view. For this purpose, two demo STES installations have been designed, built and monitored in Warsaw and Bilbao.
- STORM will exploit the following tools, which are direct deliverables from the Einstein project:
- D5.5: Design Guidelines for STES System for All Europe
- Design guidelines of STES systems for future stakeholders/promoters/users of STES technology (public deliverable). This public report presents key aspects that should be taken into account for a successful design of a STES system.
- D5.6 Decision Support Tool for stakeholders for selection, design and evaluation of STES:
- This report includes useful information and general guidelines that describe a decision support tool that was developed by the Einstein project to function as a preliminary assessment of potential implementation of STES systems in existing buildings. The tool investigates all the relevant technical issues to be considered for the STES system integration and gives an evaluation of the system from the energetic, environmental and economical points of view. The tool is unique in the sense that it allows for the possibility of analyzing centralized as well as distributed configurations for the energy generation and distribution at building and district level. In both cases, solar plant and storage volume are centralized, but heat pumps and auxiliary boilers could be either centralized or distributed in buildings.
- STORM will exploit both of these deliverables to guide the design of the STORM pilots so as to minimize any potential unforeseen conditions that could hinder the completion of the pilots within the estimated time period of the project. (EN), SMALL-SCALE CSP - Numerical and experimental analysis of a novel thermal energy storage for a small-scale concentrated solar power plant- EU’s Horizon 2020 under grant agreement No 794562 (EN) | SMALL-SCALE CSP focuses on the development of a cost-effective concentrated solar energy cogeneration system with thermal energy storage. It utilizes a polymer foil-based CSP system coupled with a packed-bed rock thermal energy storage system. The polymer foil-based concentrated solar power system has the advantages of a low installation cost and a low operation and maintenance cost. The thermal energy storage is based on a packed-bed rock with heat storage charging and discharging using evaporation and condensation of heat transfer fluid.
- One of the seasonal thermal energy storage technologies that will be investigated by STORM will involve a concentrated solar thermal energy source which will use a heat-transfer fluid (ex. thermal oil) to charge a solid (eg. sand/rock) in an insulated storage tank. STORM will exploit the findings of the techno-economic analysis that was completed in the The SMALL-SCALE CSP project for a parabolic trough collector and a foil-based solar collector coupled with a two-tank thermal energy storage system. The results of the analysis suggested that the foil-based CSP can reduce the levelized cost of energy by 40 % compared to parabolic trough collectors. The project concluded that the foil-based concentrating solar system is a promising alternative for district heating and industrial process heat applications.
- STORM will also exploit the findings related to the summary of previous works on concentrated solar power generation and which was presented in one of the deliverables of the project, where the investigators present a comprehensive summary of previous works on medium-scale (500 kWe to 5 MWe) concentrated solar power generation. They observe based on the comprehensive list of projects that the promising working fluids that can be utilized as the working fluid in conjunction with parabolic trough and linear Fresnel reflector solar fields are predominantly thermal oils with working temperatures in the range of 200 to 300 degrees. (EN), GEOCOND - Advanced materials and processes to improve performance and cost-efficiency of Shallow Geothermal systems and Underground Thermal (EU’s Horizon 2020 under grant agreement No 727583) (EN) | GEOCOND aims at reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of shallow geothermal systems for the extraction of heat from borehole heat exchangers . The project analyzes the investment and operating costs of representative borehole heat-exchanger configurations with varying circulating flow rate by means of analytical formulas and case study simulations.
- STORM will exploit the results of GEOCOND using an extensive theoretical and numerical tool that was developed in the project to filter, refine and select optimal borehole configurations. This tool was validated with results from thermal tests (TRTs). The tool takes as input parameters (1) the boreholes type, depth, and diameter (2) the pipe’s outer and inner diameter, thickness, and thermal conductivity, and (3) the grout thermal conductivity. The main output is an estimation of the borehole thermal resistance, which is key to increasing the efficiency of heat extraction.
- The main findings that will be exploited from GEOCOND to aid the design of the STORM BTES pilots are that:
- (1) hydraulic losses may be significant (between 4% to 21%), especially at high flow rates, leading to increasing electricity consumption and penalizing the performance.
- (2) borehole heat resistance depends on the fluid flow rate making borehole thermal resistance and pumping losses interrelated.
- (3) seeking a compromise between increasing the thermal efficiency of the borehole and reducing the hydraulic losses in the GSHP system is necessary.
- (4) flow rate affects the efficiency of the borehole and heat pump and the pumping costs. Working at low flow rates will result in lower borehole efficiency, with a cost overrun on heat-pump consumption. Operating at too high flows will increase the cost of pumping.
- (5) An optimum flow rate that optimizes the total costs can be determined according to the scenario characteristics. In the case studied in GEOCOND, this optimum is at a value of 0.1 l/s (representing 70% of nominal flow rate). (EN), SHAAMS - Strategic Hub for the Analysis and Acceleration of the Solar Sector in Mediterranean region (funded under ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme) (EN) | SHAAMS aims to raise public awareness on energy efficiency through the transferability and implementation of good practices in legal, regulatory, economic, organisational issues and new financing mechanisms, in order to facilitate the uptake of solar technologies in Mediterranean countries.
- STORM will exploit the below outputs to aid the design of the thermal energy storage systems:
- (1) Regional mapping and the solar sector needs identification.
- (2) Definition of a set of common and standardized indicators for the solar efficiency sector.
- (3) Creation and promotion of 4 legal and 15 funding mechanisms encouraging solar energy development.
- (4) Organization of 3 technology transfer activities and 21 brokerage events involving 180 participants.
- (5) Awareness campaigns on renewable energy and energy efficiency including 21 seminars dedicated to over 2000 participants.
- (6) Development of 10 training and capacity building actions gathering 500 concerned actors.
- (7) Creation of a cross-sector and inter-regional platform enabling communication between stakeholders dealing with solar energy (EN), SOLE- High Energy Efficiency for the Public Stock Buildings in Mediterranean (funded under ENI CBC Med Programme) (EN) | SOLE created joint strategies to support cost-effective and innovative energy-saving interventions in the public building sector in order to enhance the capacity of public institutions in Mediterranean countries to plan and implement sustainable energy policies. SOLE tested innovative techniques and energy measures in 7 public buildings to improve energy performance, as well as implement capacity-building and awareness campaigns to promote behavioral change, and capitalize on these results at the Mediterranean level.
- STORM will exploit SOLE's CROSS BORDER POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS which were presented in their capitalization report in WP6 to inform the development of guidelines and policies in the STORM project. The major recommendations that will be exploited are:
- (1) Public and private entities must prioritize sustainable goals, integrating energy efficiency with broader environmental considerations. This holistic approach aligns with the multifaceted benefits of seasonal thermal energy storage in the Mediterranean.
- (2) Implement stringent standards for public buildings, encompassing historical structures, to drive energy savings. Updating regulations and creating new benchmarks for both existing and new buildings supports the adoption of seasonal thermal energy storage solutions.
- (3) Simplify bureaucratic processes to expedite energy audits and renovation efforts, facilitating the integration of seasonal thermal energy storage systems. Harmonizing standards and providing guidance can enhance access to funding and support.
- (4) Offer incentives for energy-efficient investments and establish interdisciplinary task forces to aid public entities in accessing economic incentives. This collaboration promotes knowledge exchange and accelerates the deployment of seasonal thermal energy storage technologies.
- (5) Address skill gaps in the building sector through training programs while promoting sustainable behaviors among citizens. (EN), MEETMED- Phase 2 - Mitigation enabling energy transition in the Mediterranean Region (funded by EU). MeetMED II is a project designed to support the transition to clean energy in the Mediterranean region. It focuses on enhancing energy efficiency. (EN) | STORM can strategically exploit various outputs from the MeetMED II project to enhance its own objectives in designing efficient thermal energy storage systems. STORM can leverage MeetMED II’s outputs as follows:
- (1) STORM can Utilize MeetMED II’s harmonized energy efficiency strategies and policies as foundational frameworks for STORM’s regulatory and standardization efforts in thermal energy systems. It can adapt the regional Expert Network and energy observatory tools to monitor and analyze energy efficiency trends relevant to thermal storage.
- (2) STORM can integrate lessons learned from MeetMED II’s pilot actions to guide the design and implementation of localized thermal energy storage solutions and employ MeetMED II’s tools and methodologies for the development and scaling of STORM’s pilot projects across different Mediterranean regions.
- (3) STORM can Leverage the training materials and professional courses developed under MeetMED II to enhance capacity building within STORM, focusing on areas critical to the development and operation of thermal energy storage systems. STORM can also utilize peer-to-peer exchanges and knowledge transfer initiatives to bolster technical expertise among STORM stakeholders.
- (4) STORM can build on MeetMED II’s established relationships with banks and financial institutions to secure funding for STORM’s initiatives focused on enhancing the efficiency of thermal energy storage technologies. It can also employ innovative financing mechanisms developed by MeetMED II to support the deployment of thermal energy solutions in public, tertiary, and industrial sectors.
- (5) STORM can adapt MeetMED II’s communication strategies and campaign tools to raise awareness about the benefits of thermal energy storage systems and the broader implications for energy efficiency and renewable integration. It can also tailor educational and promotional activities to highlight the role of thermal energy storage in accelerating clean energy transition. (EN)
Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 702 129.23
Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 404 894.99
Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 89.00%
Co-financing sources:
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Contribution to wider strategies and policies:
Programme Common Output Indicator:
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RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
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RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
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RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
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RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:
Programme Common Result Indicator:
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RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
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RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
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RCR 085 - Participations in joint actions across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project
Financing programme
2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)
Latest month of project-partner-call data publication
2026-06
No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)
59 / 59 (100%)
No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)
392 / 392 (100%)
Notes on the data
There are discrepancies in this programme's financial data in keep.eu. Namely, in one or more cases, the sum of the project partners' budgets exceeds the total budget of the respective project. Interact is working with the Programme to correct those figures.